Klopp expecting title-chasing Tottenham to feel pressure

Carl Markham 08:31 02/04/2016
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  • Calm and collected?: Klopp.

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ramped up the pressure on Tottenham by challenging them to come to Anfield and win to keep alive their title hopes.

    Mauricio Pochettino’s side trail Premier League leaders Leicester, who host Southampton tomorrow, by five points but with seven matches remaining they cannot afford any slip-ups.

    Spurs’ record at Anfield is poor, with just four wins in the last 69 league meetings on Merseyside, and, although Klopp’s side are inconsistent at home with just five league wins this season, he has put the pressure firmly on the visitors.

    “Usually it is not important for us to think about the situation of the other team, but in this special case I think it makes sense to know about it,” he said. “If I were not the manager of Liverpool maybe I could enjoy the stories of Leicester and Tottenham more.

    “This is a pretty good year to become champion because a lot of clubs who fight for this title usually are not involved. There is pressure for teams at the top and we will see who handles it better.”

    Saturday’s match pitches two of England’s top strikers against each other in Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane. Both are vying for a starting spot in Roy Hodgson’s side for Euro 2016 and, despite his injury problems, Klopp would be more than happy for Sturridge to go to France rather than have the summer off.

    “There are a lot of good strikers in England, so congratulations for that,” the German said.

    “If I say I wish Daniel could have a real holiday and doesn’t have to go to the European Championships, what kind of manager would I be? It is the European Championships and playing for your country is the best thing a player can do, and I really wish for him to be part of it.”

    Klopp is short on strikers again as Christian Benteke returned from international duty with a knee injury, although Belgium teammate Divock Origi has recovered from a thigh problem. Roberto Firmino faces a late fitness test on his hamstring injury.

    Tottenham boss Pochettino believes Leicester deserve to be in pole position in the title race but has urged his players to focus on themselves.

    “We need to give the credit to Leicester,” he said. “Today they are top because they deserve to be. From the beginning of the season they were fantastic. We cannot take the credit from them.”

    Tottenham are gunning for their first league triumph since 1961 but their progress has been all the more impressive given they boast the youngest squad in the Premier League.

    “We are young but we are mature enough to realise the situation to compete with different teams,” Pochettino added.

    Toby Alderweireld has recovered from a stomach bug and is expected to be passed fit. Alderweireld suffered the illness on international duty with Belgium.

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