Rodrigo Bentancur 'back home' following 'distressing' collapse against Liverpool as Ange Postecoglou reveals full extent of freak injury

The Uruguayan international was stretchered off the field in the eighth minute, requiring oxygen assistance after appearing to sustain a head injury. The match was paused for around 10 minutes as medical teams attended to the player, ensuring his immediate safety.

Following the match, Bentancur shared an update on social media, posting a photo of himself smiling from his hospital bed. Alongside the image, he reassured fans with the message: “All good guys! Thank you for the messages. Congratulations on the victory boys.” The post eased concerns among supporters who were anxiously awaiting news of his condition.

Postecoglou provided further clarity during a press conference on Friday, confirming that Bentancur had returned home after undergoing extensive medical tests.

“He was in the hospital, obviously, and they did all of the tests in terms of checking, making sure everything is okay and all good,” the manager revealed.

“He is back home. He is fine. He is feeling good. We’ll obviously follow the protocols now. I think it is a couple of weeks where you have to make sure everything is okay. It was a distressing situation but I thought the lads handled it well and the medical team handled it well."

The Football Association’s concussion guidelines outline a structured recovery process that players must follow before returning to competitive action. The process begins with a mandatory 48-hour rest period, followed by a gradual reintroduction to physical activity, including light exercise, football-specific drills, and non-contact training. If specific criteria are met, players can potentially return to match play on the seventh day following the injury. However, the typical timeline for clearance is 12 days, ensuring adequate recovery time.

Given these protocols, Bentancur will not be available for Tottenham’s upcoming FA Cup tie against Tamworth on Sunday. However, he might be available on January 15, when Spurs face Arsenal in a highly anticipated North London Derby.