Ange Postecoglou has said that even Liverpool star Mohamed Salah would struggle if he was to play for his Tottenham side. 

Spurs face holders Liverpool in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final tie in north London on Wednesday, having not won in their past four Premier League matches.

Their winless run includes a 6-3 defeat by Arne Slot's Liverpool, for whom Salah scored twice.

The Egypt international has scored 21 goals in 27 appearances for the Reds this season, but Postecoglou is not certain he would immediately improve his own side.

"Mo is a world-class player," Postecolgou said.

"But if you put him in our team now I'm not sure he'll have that same level of performance because of the situation we're in as a group.

"His attacking play, who do you need? You need a team that's kind of in good form, creating opportunities, playing on the front foot, having a really solid foundation of a defence that is cohesive. None of these things exist at the moment."

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United left Spurs, who have been hampered by injuries this season, in 12th place, closer to the relegation zone (eight points) than the top four (12). 

Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are among the names who feature on Spurs' long injury list. 

Adding to their woes, Postecoglou will also be without the midfield duo of James Maddison and Pape Sarr on Wednesday, with both players suspended.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have only lost once in 28 matches in all competitions this season. 

The last time Tottenham beat the holders in this competition was in 2008, when they lifted the trophy by defeating Chelsea under Juande Ramos.

The second leg of the semi-final will be played at Anfield on 6 February. 

Newcastle United defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the other last-four tie on Tuesday, as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored to down the Gunners at Emirates Stadium.