Klopp warns Liverpool players of the source of Tottenham's strength, and talks about City and Real Madrid

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said today his team's defense will face its biggest challenge in a long time against the powerful attack of Tottenham Hotspur when the two teams meet in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Klopp said he expected Antonio Conte's Spurs to counter-attack because he had "a group of the best players in the world who are good at counter-attacking", especially when they are away from home.

"When you think about the way Tottenham win games, it's a great team," Klopp told reporters ahead of Saturday's game at Anfield. "Harry Kane, what a player," Klopp told reporters.

It obviously suits their way of playing very well, there is a lot of understanding between them (the attackers).

I would say that we will face the greatest challenge in a long time.

To win a match you have to create chances and dominate the game but when you lose (the ball), you have to be close to all the opponents immediately and that is very difficult.

We have to find a way to reduce their risk whenever possible."

Liverpool, who reached the Champions League final, are one point behind leaders Manchester City, four games from the end of the season.

Asked if Pep Guardiola's team would be more determined than ever not to let the league title slip away from him after the European exit at the hands of Real Madrid, Klopp said: "Yes, it was a big blow, really tough. A night like that is not great. The next morning, the feelings are bad, but City are now preparing for Newcastle (United) on Sunday."

Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the 2018 final and Klopp said he wanted to face the Spanish team again the following season to avenge that defeat.

In the end, Liverpool won the competition in 2019 by defeating Tottenham in the final.

"But we played Tottenham in Madrid," said Klopp, laughing. "It seems that Madrid is our destiny. It was strange and City got lucky, but what Real Madrid did was fantastic. They beat PSG, Chelsea and City... If you beat these three teams, you definitely deserve it." To be in the final. It would be great. We weren't happy that night (in 2018) but that was a while ago. I'm happy to go there to try again."

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