Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists Tottenham “are the best counter-attacking side in Europe” despite their recent poor form.
The Reds will face Spurs on Sunday in a crucial match as both sides look to put pressure on the top four with the end of the season fast approaching.
Liverpool are on a brilliant run of form with Klopp’s men winning three consecutive Premier League matches against Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham.
At the opposite end of the scale, Tottenham have now won just one in six Premier League matches and have dropped out of the top four with Newcastle United and Manchester United showing more consistency.
Tottenham are currently managerless with Ryan Mason temporarily replacing sacked interim boss Cristian Stellini earlier this week.
But despite their problems, Liverpool boss Klopp believes the Reds will be facing the “best counter-attacking side in Europe by some distance” on Sunday.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Klopp told reporters: “This is a season where a lot of things are difficult for a lot of teams. We have our problems, Chelsea have problems, Tottenham have problems. It is not cool for us but opens it up for other teams and Champions League spots are there to grab for other teams.
“Little mistakes can cause massive problems. I don’t know anything about that for Tottenham, but they showed they are outstanding last night. I will be prepared for the best possible Tottenham side. They are the best counter-attacking side in Europe by some distance.”
Finishing in one of the Champions League spots still looks like a long shot for Liverpool despite their good recent form and Klopp admits whatever competition they end up in will be “very important for next season”.
On possibly qualifying for the Europa League, Klopp added: “We take what we get. It is not that we said that would be fantastic at start of the season but this season taught us a few things. If it is Europa League, it is Europa League.
“I want to play the best possible football. We have to be focussed on the game coming up, that is Tottenham. What happens in the next few weeks will be very important for next season.”
Liverpool edged out West Ham 2-1 in midweek and Klopp was asked why he picked the same team two matches in a row, he continued: “The ticket into this team will always be readiness, from now on, to counter-press. I liked what I saw.
“It created a situation where the boys who didn’t start showed up properly in training so we could have changed quite a lot. They were knocking on the door.
“We have time to train. In a normal week with three games you are doing recovery, and only the guys who weren’t playing are training. You only have one full day. That is not a session that should be too intense.”
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