The Sun (Malaysia)

Wembley redemption

> Impressive Liverpool gunning for revenge against Spurs <

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LIVERPOOL will not have happy memories of their last visit to Wembley Stadium and will head south with a point to prove against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

Eleven months ago Jurgen Klopp’s side were swept aside 4-1 by a rampant Tottenham leading to a bout of navel-gazing that, as it transpired, helped transform Liverpool’s season.

The defensive lapses that undermined them that day were soon eradicated, the goals began to flow and with the addition of central defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampto­n in January, Liverpool became a force to be reckoned with.

The damage had already been done though and, just like every other contender, they never got anywhere near a Manchester City side that strolled to the Premier League title.

They did reach the Champions League final and have continued the momentum into the new campaign, topping the table with four wins from four, scoring nine goals and conceding one.

Ex-Liverpool stars Danny Murphy and Craig Bellamy believe Van Dijk should be able to handle the threat posed by Harry Kane because the Spurs striker is exhausted.

Kane played all of England’s World Cup campaign, as well as 90 minutes in the recent 2-1 defeat to Spain and half-an-hour against Switzerlan­d.

“He’s a forward that gives his all and not all forwards do that,” Murphy said about the 25-year-old forward.

“The superstars and the match winners sometimes protect themselves better than he does. He doesn’t do that, he puts himself out there. He always plays 90 minutes, unlike Sergio Aguero or Romelu Lukaku.”

“Having said that, even Kane at 75% could well go and win (pix). Tottenham the game tomorrow.”

Asked if he’d seen signs that Kane was adapting to his fatigue, Bellamy said that he had.

“He’s coming far deeper now. When you don’t want to run in behind you will come deep to get the ball,” the former striker said.

“When I was not in the position I needed to be in I would drop deep and make the game easier for myself. I didn’t want to go and sprint because that took too much energy out of me.”

Liverpool have lost only one of their last 11 Premier League meetings against Tottenham but were also frustrated by them in a 2-2 draw at Anfield last season when Kane scored a last-gasp penalty equaliser.

There is an edge between the clubs and Klopp knows three points tomorrow would send out a message of intent.

In other fixtures, Watford’s best-ever start to a top-flight season will be put to the test as they take on a Manchester United side without striker Marcus Rashford, who was sent off in their morale-boosting win against Burnley.

Chelsea, who have quietly gone about their business under new manager Maurizio Sarri, are also 100% after four games and will relish a home clash against Cardiff City.

While Liverpool’s outlay on new players has, so far, proved beneficial, the same cannot be said of West Ham United.

After bolstering their squad with nearly £100 million (RM541m) worth of new signings for incoming manager Manuel Pellegrini, West Ham United are pointless after four games.

Things do not get any easier either with West Ham away to Everton on Sunday.

Other games tomorrow see Newcastle taking on Arsenal, while Manchester City travel to a Fulham. – Reuters/ Daily Star

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