SPURS ON RED ALERT

I’M reluctant to say I told you so, but I have had a feeling, for a while, Liverpool would suddenly explode and give someone a hiding.

It is definitely coming with them. For all the criticism they’ve had, they are really not that far away.

You can see they’ve drawn too many games, dropped silly points, but look at their record – they have only lost two in their last 20 Premier League matches. And one of those was with 10 men.

That is the sign of a team that is progressing, even if they are not quite there yet.

They will obviously go to Wembley to face Spurs full of confidence and it could be a huge game for them.

Because a win would give them a real sense of momentum and an attitude that they can really compete at the very top.

I think it’s going to be a hell of a game. Spurs are one of the few sides that are prepared to go toe to toe with Liverpool and outplay them – and I like that.

Not many people seem to have noticed, but I think Mauricio Pochettino deserves massive credit for his courage in going to the Bernabeu and playing two up front in Harry Kane and Fernando Llorente.

No one expected that and, I suspect, Real least of all.

Everyone goes there with a defensive mindset and it seemed to throw the Spanish side a bit.

In fact, but for a great save near the end, it would have been one of the greatest shocks in modern times.

With Liverpool buzzing after a hugely impressive record result in Europe – 7-0 against Maribor (above) – it is all set up.

And whoever wins will take real momentum into a crucial period in the Premier League.