Tottenham are facing a difficult test against Liverpool this weekend and it will be a good indication of where both sides are. They each have Champions League ambitions and a positive result for Tottenham this weekend will cap a great start to the season. Despite not performing at their best in their opening two matches, they have picked up four points, which is a good return. The failures at the end of last season haven’t carried over to the new season and that will encourage Mauricio Pochettino. He faced the media on Thursday and made some interesting comments ahead of the match against Liverpool.
Harry Kane hasn’t scored a Premier League goal in August and it is obvious that he is suffering after the European Championships. When asked about his striker’s form, Pochettino reaffirmed his belief in Kane to return to his best ‘I think all different players that were involved at the Euros, it is difficult to start to compete again and be fit 100%. I think he is at a very good level. He is full of confidence and believing in himself. It is not a problem’.
Although Kane has been struggling, there is no doubting his ability and it is important that Pochettino continues to show faith in him. The striker is a confidence player and needs to be right mentally to perform at his best. Pochettino recognises that he needs to stay loyal to Kane and that it could take just one goal to get him firing. The reference to all players finding it difficult after the Euros is clever as it makes it a general point, rather than one specific to Kane’s form.
He was later asked about the match itself and Pochettino knows that it will be a tough match for his side on Saturday. On Liverpool, he said ‘It will be a very tough game. I remember when we played last season. It was Klopp’s first game in charge and it was tough. I think it’s a team that likes to play counter-attack. They are fast. They are quick. They have good organisation and they love to play counter-attack, different to us. We like to manage the ball, to play in possession and to play in the opposite half’.
This is a good assessment of the game from Pochettino, as the two sides differ in styles and that promises to produce an excellent match to watch. Both sides will be able to play their natural games and whoever performs best is likely to win the match. He is respectful of Liverpool and won’t be underestimating them, despite their disappointing defeat to Burnley. Pochettino and Klopp are two of the best young coaches in the game. Although they have different styles, there are similarities between the two. They both demand high intensity from their players and it is tough to call which side will win this weekend.
Finally, Pochettino touched on the transfer market when he was asked about contract renewals at the club. He stated his desire to focus on bringing new players into the club and that will be reassuring to Tottenham fans who want to see a couple of new additions before the deadline next week. On the club’s priority over the next week, he said ‘There are a lot of rumours. We need to wait to see what happens in the next few days. Now we are focusing to try to add some players. I think we are more focused now in trying to improve out squad than improve the contract of our players.’
They have had a quiet window compared to some of their rivals, but Pochettino has clearly noticed some problems with his squad, as this is the most open he has been about wanting new signings. Before he has been very loyal to his squad and stated that he will only bring players in if they are right for the club. These comments suggest that the club have found one or two players that will benefit the club and are keen to get the deals done before the deadline.
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