Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) has once again had his return delayed. The prolonged absence due to injury has deepened Tottenham's concerns. In particular, they now must fill his absence in crucial matches against Liverpool.

Tottenham will play an away match against Liverpool in the 34th round of the 2024-2025 Premier League at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on the 28th (local time). However, Son Heung-min will not be present for this match either.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou directly announced Son Heung-min's absence for the match against Liverpool during a pre-match press conference. Postecoglou noted, "There is no significant change in the squad. The players have prepared well since the Nottingham match. Son Heung-min is accelerating his rehabilitation, but he has not yet fully recovered to the point of being ready to play."

He added, "Currently, the only player who cannot participate in the matches is Son Heung-min," conveying his disappointment.

Son Heung-min sustained an injury during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on the 11th. Unable to evade a rough tackle from an opposing defender, Son severely injured his foot and has not participated in any matches since.

In fact, Son Heung-min has consecutively missed the league round 32 against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the quarterfinal second leg against Frankfurt, and the Nottingham Forest match. With his absence from the upcoming Liverpool match, the timeline for his return has become even more uncertain.

Currently, Son Heung-min has successfully returned to training grounds but is reportedly only participating in limited training sessions. Tottenham stated, "Son Heung-min has started individual training on the grass. However, he will need more time before rejoining team training."

Manager Postecoglou also stated that he will not rush Son Heung-min's return. He said, "The foot is a crucial part for supporting weight, so we must be especially careful," and added, "Son Heung-min has taken adequate rest for a week and is progressing well through the first stage of rehabilitation."

This cautious approach regarding his return is due to internal circumstances at Tottenham. The first leg of the Europa League semifinals against Bodo/Glimt scheduled for May 2 is a match that the club cannot afford to lose. Tottenham feels a burden to secure a trophy on the European stage this season, and Son Heung-min aims to return to peak condition for this crucial schedule.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, who will face Tottenham, is currently on a remarkable run in the league. Liverpool has recorded 24 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses, accumulating 79 points and leading the table. A draw in the upcoming match against Tottenham would seal the Premier League title for them. The entire Premier League, including Tottenham, is keenly observing whether Liverpool will secure the title.

The prolonged injury of Son Heung-min has raised significant concerns among Tottenham fans. The Tottenham fan community has voiced reactions such as, "Tottenham without Son Heung-min lacks offensive power," "I am worried about a possible defeat against Liverpool," and "Without Son Heung-min, we cannot guarantee success in the Europa League." In contrast, some fans support a cautious approach, saying, "There is no need to rush. The important thing is the Europa League," and "Son Heung-min can take his time returning."

This season, Son Heung-min has been an absolute key resource for Tottenham. He has played in 29 Premier League matches, scoring 14 goals and providing 7 assists, leading the team’s offense. Particularly, he has solidified his status as a 'clutch player' by scoring crucial goals in decisive moments. However, the team's offensive power has visibly diminished since his injury. Although they won the Nottingham match 3-1, the absence of Son Heung-min was painfully felt.

Manager Postecoglou has been actively utilizing Brennan Johnson, Richarlison, and Dejan Kulusevski in the absence of Son Heung-min. However, the scoring ability, decisiveness, and impact on disrupting opposing defenses that Son Heung-min possesses cannot be easily replaced.

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