The upshot to Richarlison joining Solanke on the sidelines is that deadline-day signing Mathys Tel, who replaced him at Anfield, will likely have to lead the line in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa – now an enormous game in Spurs' season.
Almost immediately, however, Tel has become a crucial part of the club's present given the significance of the Villa game, which Spurs must win to ensure their season does not hinge entirely on further progress in the Europe.
Postecoglou did not reveal what he had said to Tel to convince him to join Spurs but it is easy to imagine the head coach emphasised that they were still in with a shot of winning three competitions this term, which could turn a difficult season into an historic campaign.
It is far too early to make any sort of judgment call on Tel's suitability for specific roles in the Premier League but, on the basis of his showing against Liverpool, he looks physically more in the mould of a winger than a No9 who can occupy English defences, as Solanke and Richarlison do when fit.
Postecoglou could scarcely have been more effusive about Tel this week, using his pre-press conference before Liverpool to talk-up the 19-year-old's quality and expand on his own role in persuading him to join Spurs during a phone call and exchange of messages lasting "a couple of hours".
