We really don’t need to obsess over Eriksen
He may be Denmark’s big star but he’s not in the same class as Bale
EVERY Ireland fan will be watching the form of Christian Eriksen over the next few weeks as the World Cup play-off between with Denmark draws nearer. But, while there is no doubting he is a quality player, we need not obsess about him as he is not in the world class category of someone like Gareth Bale.
He’s a game-changer and has the ability, which very few possess, to play a brilliant pass with either foot, or drill the ball into the top corner of the net.
The Ireland players and management will analyse the Tottenham star’s form and familiarise themselves with his strengths and weaknesses, even if he does play a different role for his country, where has the freedom of a Number 10.
With his intelligence and movement, Eriksen is the one player who constantly gets up to support the frontman, whether that is Nicklas Bendtner, Nicolai Jorgensen or Andreas Cornelius.
Denmark are direct and physical and Eriksen has the job of picking up the pieces and loose balls up front. He has a great record in qualifiers, having scored eight goals, including a couple of penalties, while he also has three goals and two assists for Spurs this season.
He has had his inconsistent spells with the London side but is certainly one of the key players under Mauricio Pochettino at the moment.
No doubt, knowledge of our opponents will increase before next month’s two legs but we need no introduction to Eriksen, who will line up for Tottenham at Wembley today, where Liverpool will be the visitors.
Today’s clash with Liverpool is a repeat of Jurgen Klopp’s first game in charge two years ago this month, and it will be a big test for Spurs manager Pochettino and his team. Liverpool are unbeaten on their last four visits to Tottenham whereas he has not beaten the Merseysiders in his last seven, having won his first two games against Liverpool as Southampton boss.
Despite victory over Bournemouth at Wembley last week, I’m still unconvinced they are over their hoodoo at the famous ground. They dominated Eddie Howe’s side, but it was only 1-0 and I think they need a run of three or four home wins to show they are coping with their difficult, temporary move.
Liverpool travel to London on the back of a very good Champions League win. Admittedly, Maribo were as bad a team as you are ever likely to see in Europe, but Klopp’s men finally showed some ruthlessness. It ended 7-0 and could easily have been 10. You could argue that some team was going to get a good thrashing from Liverpool eventually.
It has been coming. They have created so many chances in some games this season.
Even thinking back to the fivegoal thrashing by Manchester City – it wasn’t a true reflection of that game. Liverpool had chances but didn’t take them before Sadio Mane was sent off. That has been Liverpool’s problem so far. Their defensive issues are rightly highlighted but if you don’t bury your chances, of course you are going to put your defence under pressure.
Liverpool were three-up very early on in Slovenia in midweek, so they were relaxed, comfortable and dominant against a team who simply threw in the towel. It was the performance, and the goals, Liverpool needed before they face one of their top-six rivals.
With Adam Lallana about to return, Liverpool are getting back to full strength, particularly in midfield. Up to now Klopp was having to scramble a team together from the fit members of his squad earlier in the season. James Milner and Emre Can were excellent in Europe – so could Jordan Henderson, Klopp’s captain, be dropped today?
Without doubt, the return of Philippe Coutinho has been significant and the Brazilian has been back to his best form.
Of course, any player would have his head turned by a £150 million offer from Barcelona, and a club like that is the ultimate for these South American boys. It would be easy for him to get hamstring or back strains and pull out of games.
But, after Liverpool dug their heels in and the move fell through, Coutinho has been creating chances and scoring goals. He has been honest and a good pro and looked like a £150 million footballer.
And that is the kind of fee Real Madrid are going to have to pay if they are serious about signing Harry Kane.
Zinedine Zidane spoke very favourably about the Spurs striker prior to their Champions League clash in the Bernabeu and inevitably the following day, the headlines were all about a possible move to Spain.
Who could deny Kane deserves such a move? With his range of goals, the way he is playing and leading the line for club and country, Kane is bound to be linked with such a massive club like Real Madrid.
Tottenham, I am sure, will do everything they can to keep hold of their talisman. It might require club chairman Daniel Levy breaking the wage structure to do so. But Kane would be worth every penny on his current form.