Zidane praise humbles Kane
– Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane (above) has welcomed Zinedine Zidane’s comment that he was a “complete player” and said the Real Madrid coach’s compliment will give him more confidence.
Zidane praised the 24-year-old Kane before Spurs’ 1-1 draw in the Champions League against Madrid last week.
“I always feel there’s stuff I can improve upon, I will never stop trying to do that,” Kane said.
“It’s a great compliment and one I will take as a positive, take in my stride and try to use as confidence.
“I’ll always keep working. I never feel you can always be the best so I will keep working at things.”
Kane’s brace in the 4-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday took him to the top of Premier League scorers’ list this season with eight goals.
The England international has scored 13 goals in 12 games across all competitions this season and is relishing the chance to continue his exploits in upcoming matches, starting with a trip to United in the league on Saturday.
“The games are coming thick and fast and that is what you want as a striker, you get into a rhythm and you just want the next game to come so you can continue scoring,” Kane added.
“For me it’s all about doing my job for the team and at the moment I feel I can score in every game.” – Reuters
London London
Juergen Klopp pledged to “fix” his Liverpool team’s chronic defensive problems after a 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur left them 12 points adrift in the Premier League title race.
Spurs exploited abject Liverpool defending throughout Sunday’s game at Wembley, with Harry Kane scoring twice as Mauricio Pochettino’s men moved level on points with second-placed Manchester United.
Liverpool have now conceded 16 goals – their worst statistics at this stage of a season since 1964 – and Klopp said his team could forget about climbing the table until they sort things out at the back.
“We don’t have to talk about top four today. We are ninth,” said the Liverpool manager.
“We have the worst statistics since 1964. We are where we are, so we deserve that.”
Klopp claimed Spurs’ first goal – when Kane ran in behind the Liverpool back four and rounded Simon Mignolet to score – would not have been scored if he had been on the pitch himself, even “in trainers”.
Kane broke the deadlock in the fourth minute and teed up Son Heung-Min for Spurs’ second eight minutes later after Dejan Lovren had completely misjudged an attempt to head clear a long throw from Hugo Lloris.
Mohamed Salah pulled one back before further goals from Dele Alli and Kane – both of which stemmed from defensive errors – allowed the hosts to put the game to bed.
Lovren had long departed by then, hauled off in the 31st minute after a disastrous display.
Tottenham’s swashbuckling display suggest Pochettino’s team are best placed to take the fight to leaders Manchester City in the title race.
“I am so pleased for the team, for our fans,” said the Spurs manager, whose side trail City by five points.
“Because we start to change that feeling that it was difficult to play here at Wembley and we start to feel that Wembley can be our home. That confidence is so important for the rest of the season.”
Pochettino said Kane was “amazing” after a brace that leaves him as the Premier League’s outright leading scorer on eight goals.
Another famous No 10, Diego Maradona, was in the stands and Pochettino said he had had an “emotional” reunion with his former Newell’s Old Boys team-mate.
“It was difficult to let him go because when you’re in front of Maradona, you want to speak with him and share a moment with him.” –