OPINION
Tottenham could hardly have faced a tougher challenge on their return to Premier League action as they prepare for the visit of Liverpool, and their hopes have seemingly taken a massive blow with the absence of some senior stars.
The Lilywhites, who will be hoping to bounce back from their surprise 2-1 defeat at the hands of Watford prior to the international break, will have to challenge the table topping Reds with some key men sitting on the sidelines, with Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris the biggest names to be missing, as confirmed on their official Twitter account.
TEAM NEWS:
? @dele_official (hamstring) unavailable this weekend.
? Hugo Lloris (thigh) unavailable and expected to be out for several weeks.
? @JuanMFoyth (thigh) returned to training last week.
? @MoussaSissoko (hamstring) expected to return to training next week. pic.twitter.com/zUBDxf7hZe
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 13, 2018
With an forward line consisting of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, the Tottenham defence is in for as tough a day as they could face, and they will no doubt be reliant on the man between the sticks to keep them at bay – which is why Lloris’ absence is a massive blow.
However, the Spurs faithful were pretty clear on who they want to see take the Frenchman’s place – and it would be a massive gamble for Pochettino to take.
Taking to Twitter, many fans were left begging for rarely seen shot stopper Paulo Gazzaniga, with the 6’4″ giant (source: Transfermarkt) having just one appearance for the club under his belt, Michel Vorm the regular backup to Lloris.
https://twitter.com/Delecopter/status/1040312334965764097
Lloris our for a month. Gazzaniga has to start! #Coys #YidArmy
— Rory Loxton (@Loxtonspurs10) September 13, 2018
Hoping Gazzaniga might play but doubt it
— Andy TTID (@Bytor14) September 13, 2018
Time to give Gazzaniga a go in goal! #COYS
— Gavin Bowen (@GavinBowen) September 13, 2018
Vorm in goal?? Good luck, sorry to be negative but I think Gazzaniga is a better choise
— ???????????????????????-????? ???? ?? (@PerVidarLind) September 13, 2018
If vorm plays , don’t seeing us getting anything tbh , need gazzaniga ! Hope I’m proved wrong
— Tony Care ??????? ? ?? I DO NOT COMPLY (@Tonycare316) September 14, 2018
Should be Gazzaniga but just know it will be vorm
— Morgan Skipp (@mskipp991) September 14, 2018
Supporters might often think they have what it takes to be football managers, but in this case they are absolutely right.
Vorm is a handy backup keeper but with Lloris out for a while, 26-year-old Gazzaniga, who stepped up superbly in his one and only outing for the club so far, deserves the chance to prove his worth.
It might be a case of throwing him at the deep end and hoping he swims rather than sinks, and it would be a big gamble against a potent Liverpool attack – but it is a must if Spurs want to win then it is an absolute must.