Davies admits Spurs need fast start

Instead of jubilant supporters hailing their heroes for ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait to be crowned English champions, the Reds’ impending title triumph in an empty stadium is likely to feel anti-climactic.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are 25 points clear at the top and need a maximum of two wins from their remaining nine games to seal a 19th English title in emphatic fashion.

The trophy could be theirs as soon as June 21 if second-placed Manchester City lose to Arsenal and Liverpool beat Merseyside rivals Everton. But with the rest of the season to be played behind closed doors, the mood around the club has gone slightly flat.

The prospect of Liverpool having to delay their parade through the city with the trophy until next year due to socialdistancing rules is another blow. No wonder former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, who famously won the title at Anfield with the Gunners on the last day of the 1988/89 season, said: “If Liverpool do eventually get crowned, it’s going to prove a massive anti-climax. “I can’t help but feel sorry for Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk and all who deserve every plaudit going for a magnificent effort.” — AFP

LONDON: Tottenham defender Ben Davies has urged his teammates to make a fast start when they restart their Premier League campaign on Friday.

Jose Mourinho’s side face a vital showdown with Manchester United in north London in their first game since the coronavirus lockdown in March.

Tottenham go into the game in eighth place, four points behind fifth- placed United and a further three adrift of fourthplaced Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Tottenham were struggling before the pandemic, going six games without a win in all competitions and crashing out of the Champions League and FA Cup.

But they will be boosted by the return from injury of Harry Kane, Son Heung- min and Moussa Sissoko, and Davies believes they can hit the ground running against Unit ed.

“It is a huge game in our season. If we start off on the front foot it can really give us a big platform and confidence to push on for the rest of the season,” Davies told Tottenham’s website.

“We know that this game is vital going into the final bit of our season to where we want to finish. It’s been a long preparation or it but we can’t wait to get going.” — AFP