Tottenham Attempt To Grasp Europa League Lifeline To Save Dismal Season

Ange Postecoglou can still make good on his claim that he always wins a trophy in his second season but he must find a way to inspire struggling Tottenham for a shot at Europa League glory. Spurs suffered their 19th defeat of a demoralising Premier League campaign at Anfield on Sunday, crumbling 5-1 as swaggering Liverpool were crowned champions. The predictable loss left them 16th in the table -- on course for their worst league finish since they were relegated from the English top flight in 1977, though they cannot go down. Spurs host Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday with all their eggs now in one basket.

If they come through that they will face either fellow strugglers Manchester United or Athletic Bilbao in the final in Bilbao, with a chance to win their first European trophy for 41 years.

Tottenham manager Postecoglou made eight changes at Anfield from the team that had lost to Nottingham Forest last week, and is open about where his priorities now lie.

The Australian has been hit hard by injuries this season but has nearly a full roster of players available for Thursday's first leg in London.

His main concern is over the fitness of captain Son Heung-min, who has missed the past four games with a foot injury.

Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven will likely return in defence while Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski are expected to bolster the midfield.

A glimmer of hope for Tottenham is that Bodo/Glimt themselves will be weakened as a result of suspensions and manager Kjetil Knutsen also has injury worries.

- Trophy drought -

A frustrated Postecoglou 59, has acknowledged the "general sentiment" points to a Spurs exit even if he wins the