Mohammed Kudus Returns to Tottenham XI After 257 Days
Mohammed Kudus finally heard his name read out in a Tottenham starting XI again – 257 days after his last start for the London club in England. The Ghanaian forward was handed a place in the lineup for Spurs’ English League Cup third‑round clash with Liverpool at Anfield, marking a long-awaited return to the first whistle.
It was a tough stage for a comeback. Anfield under the lights, knockout football, Liverpool in full press mode. Kudus, 26, did not hide. He buzzed around the final third, demanded the ball, tried to knit attacks together.
His big moment came in the 32nd minute. Tottenham were already 0:1 down and searching for a foothold when the ball broke to Kudus in a promising position. It was the sort of chance that can flip a tie, a clean look from close range. He leaned over it and went for power – and watched the effort sail over the bar. A huge opportunity gone, and Liverpool’s lead stayed intact.
The game continued to tilt Liverpool’s way. Tottenham chased, Kudus kept working, but the visitors never quite found the rhythm to turn pressure into goals. After 75 minutes of his first start in nearly nine months, Kudus’ night ended as he made way for new signing Savio. By then, Spurs still trailed and needed a spark from the bench.
It never arrived. Liverpool tightened their grip, added to their advantage, and ran out 3:1 winners, knocking Tottenham out of the competition and underlining the gap on the night between the sides.
For Kudus, though, the story doesn’t end with the final whistle at Anfield. His return to the starting lineup sends a clear signal beyond North London. In Ghana, eyes will be on his minutes, his sharpness, his confidence.
MyJoyOnline reports that Kudus is expected to be named in Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Côte d'Ivoire and Gambia.
A competitive start for Tottenham, 75 hard minutes at one of the most demanding grounds in Europe, is exactly the kind of platform national team selectors want to see.
He left Anfield with a missed chance and a cup exit. The next time he pulls on a shirt, it might be in the black stars of Ghana, with AFCON qualification points on the line and a different kind of pressure waiting.
