Just when Tottenham Hotspur thought that things may be looking up ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool, along comes another hammer blow. Spurs will head to Anfield with a 1-0 lead from the first leg.

They will also go into the big game on the back of back-to-back victories over Elfsborg in the Europa League and Brentford in the Premier League. Throw in the fact Tottenham bolstered their injury hit squad with the deadline day signings of Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel and matters may be well be turning for the better for the under-fire Ange Postecoglou.

However, the Tottenham head coach's worst fears came true yesterday when it was confirmed that Radu Dragusin will undergo surgery after sustaining ACL damage to his right knee.

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The Romania international has been holding the Spurs backline together this season alongside impressive 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray, who is excelling despite playing out of position, amid a defensive injury that sees Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie still sidelined along with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Ben Davies is back, though, while Micky van de Ven is expected to return against Liverpool after being rested for the 2-0 triumph at Brentford on Sunday.

It is unclear whether Danso and Tel will be thrown straight into the starting line-up. If the latter doesn't, and with former Reds striker Dominic Solanke out with a knee injury, it would means the Tottenham attack likely being led by Liverpool nemesis and ex-Everton hero Richarlison.

Postecoglou will be also be without five more forwards in James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert, taking the total number of players he will not be able to call on to 11.

His opposite number, Arne Slot, has no such problems. The Reds head coach will be without two players at worst.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a major doubt after coming off in Saturday's vital 2-0 Premier League victory at Bournemouth but the good news is the Liverpool vice-captain's injury is not serious.

Conor Bradley would take Alexander-Arnold's place should the England international not make it, although Slot could soon have Joe Gomez to call on again. The versatile defender - who can play right-back - returned to training late last week but did not feature in the Liverpool squad that travelled to Bournemouth, so it remains to be seen if he will be ready to face Spurs.