Revealed: Why Erik Lamela isn't in Spurs' squad at Liverpool and how close he came to playing

Erik Lamela missed out on Tottenham's Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

The Argentine impressed in midweek with two assists and a goal as Spurs got back to winning ways against Red Star Belgrade with a comprehensive 5-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Lamela could well have started at Anfield after his display in the Champions League. However, a thigh injury picked up in training at Hotspur Way on Saturday threw his involvement into doubt.

After a check on Sunday morning it was decided that the Argentine was not fit enough to be involved against Liverpool.

"He suffered a small problem with his thigh yesterday in training," explained Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino.

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"This morning he was checked by the doctor and the decision was made that he couldn't be involved. We hope it’s not a big issue."

Christian Eriksen has returned to the Tottenham line-up after his recent dead leg picked up on international duty with Denmark and then being on the bench for the victory against Red Star.

It is only the fourth time in 2019 that Eriksen, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min have all played together.