Tottenham’s Champions League hopes hang by a thread

> Liverpool boss unhappy ahead of Red Star clash: Van Dijk

Sources: UEFA, Gracenote Picture: Newscom TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR travelled to the Netherlands yesterday with a very simple equation: win or bust.

Defeats to Barcelona and Inter Milan in the Champions League have left Tottenham alongside PSV Eindhoven at the bottom of Group B, each yet to earn a point.

With a home tie against the Dutch club to follow in a fortnight, two wins against PSV would restore Tottenham’s hopes of advancing, especially as Barcelona and Inter are set to take points off each other.

But anything other than a win in Holland tomorrow (12.55am malaysian time) would leave Spurs facing a massive uphill battle to make the last 16.

That would be a huge disappointment for a side who beat eventual champions Real Madrid at home in last season’s group stages and drew with them in Spain.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino knows what is required of his side. © GRAPHIC NEWS

LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp (caricature) has every right to be unhappy despite Liverpool’s flying start to the season. That’s the surprising claim of Reds’ titanic defender Virgil van Dijk.

Klopp’s side welcome Red Star Belgrade to Anfield tomorrow (3am malaysian time) as they continue their Champions League campaign.

The German manager was not overly enamoured with his side’s performance in their 1-0 win over Huddersfield.

And Van Dijk says he can understand why Klopp is frustrated despite his team gaining out wins. “He has every right not to be happy,” Van Dijk said. “He is the boss and obviously wants the best from all of us, the best for the club and wants us to play well.

“You are not going to dominate every game and play well every game but considering how we played it was a great result to keep a clean sheet.

“That’s all good but we could have done a bit better, perhaps made it easier for ourselves.

“At times they (Huddersfield) made it look more dangerous than it really was and they had their moments where if they did a little better they could have scored.”

Liverpool are second in Group C after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Napoli on matchday two. Following that defeat, Klopp said: “The start of the game was OK. Then the timing for our defensive movements were not good enough.

“We didn’t close the spaces in the right moment, we didn’t react in the right situation and so they could play through our formation.

“Things like this happen but not as often as they did tonight and it costs energy. We had to fight really hard. Then when you have the ball you have to play much calmer.

And Van Dijk is well aware that improvements need to be made at both ends of the pitch if the Reds are to finally win a trophy this season.

“That is what we try,” said the Dutch defender. “I think everyone is giving their all.

“Obviously we have things to improve up front and also at the back.

“Wednesday will be a very good game to play against a very good opponent.

“It is another Champions League night at Anfield and I am sure we will recover from the weekend and make sure we will be ready.

“We need to respect the opponent. They are in the Champions League – the best competitions in Europe apart from the Premier League – and it will be a hard game.”

On a brighter note, Klopp was given a huge Champions League boost when Sadio mane was passed fit for the the Red Star clash. The forward was injured on international duty after breaking his thumb away with Senegal.

Mane’s availability comes at a top time for Klopp, who is prepared to ring the changes against the Serbian outfit.

Liverpool face Cardiff at Anfield at the weekend before traveling to the Emirates to take on Arsenal the following week. Under Unai Emery, the Gunners have looked formidable and are currently on a 10-match winning streak. – Daily Star

“We need more. I think we are so competitive over the last four and a half years. I think it’s so important the Champions League game against Eindhoven because we want to be alive in the competition.

“It’s a must-win game and we know very well we need to repeat that type of performance (again and again)” the Argentinian said.

Domestically, Tottenham are enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League season, with seven wins out of nine.

The form of Erik Lamela has been crucial to Tottenham’s form and the Argentinian is set to retain his place in the side in Eindhoven.

Spurs have managed his recovery from a serious hip injury, to the extent that Lamela does not know if he will be available week in, week out.

What he does know, though, is the importance of getting a result in Eindhoven.

“We know we have to win. Unfortunately we started the Champions League by losing in Milan. After, we lost against Barcelona and we will not have too many more chances, so we have to win,” he told reporters.

Midfielder Mousa Dembele hailed Lamela’s impact on the side in recent weeks, including their win at West Ham last time out, when Lamela’s header won it for Spurs.

“He’s on fire,” he told the London Standard. “It’s unbelievable. He is helping us a lot. Skills, goals, workrate, everything we could ask from a top player like him.

“Everyone knows he has a strong mentality. That’s why I think he has now improved a lot. You can see he’s so important for us. I’m happy he is showing the world what he is capable of.”

Pochettino will be without Dele Alli as the England midfielder recovers from a hamstring injury while Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen are also not ready to return.

But playmaker Christian Eriksen may be ready to start after making his own comeback from injury as a late substitute in the win over West Ham. – dpa

Central Coast Mariners said negotiations with Usain Bolt were stalled over money yesterday, also warning the sprint superstar he will not play in the ALeague even if he signs with the club.The Mariners said Bolt, had been offered a contract but added “negotiations remain ongoing” over the athlete’s footballing future.The club said it was seeking outside sponsors to top up the offer to Bolt.“Without the financial contribution of an external third-party, it is unlikely that Usain Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners will agree to terms,” it said.The Mariners indicated the world’s fastest man may have potential as a player but was not good enough to be a regular starter if he chose to stay.“Usain has made great progression during his time on the Central Coast and we feel that he will improve further with more individual intensive training and competitive game time,” they said.“We are looking at ways to do this as the club does not have the luxury to be able to do this in the A-League.”The Mariners said Bolt would not attend training while negotiations about his future were ongoing to avoid distracting his teammates ahead of Saturday’s home match against Melbourne City. – AFP