ANFIELD ON THUG ALERT
Vidal: Art to beating us, Spurs
BARCELONA midfielder Arturo Vidal has warned Tottenham ahead of their do-or-die Champions League tie: Don’t expect us to hold anything back.
Spurs head to the Nou Camp knowing victory would complete a miraculous Champions League comeback and send them into the knockout stages.
But even though Barca are already through and guaranteed top spot, Vidal says there is absolutely no chance of his team coasting through the match.
“As Barcelona players we want to finish this first phase without losing a game and with ours heads high and ready for the next stage,” said the Chile international.
“So against Tottenham we won’t change our pattern of play. Nobody will be relaxed or holding anything back.”
Mentality
Vidal accepts that Barca manager Ernesto Valverde could make changes for the game but says it will make absolutely no difference to the performance.
“The reality is we want to win every single trophy this season. To do that we have to keep winning games and keep the right mentality.”
Vidal acknowledges, too, that Tottenham will be tough opponents.
They sit second in Group B, on the same points as Inter Milan who face PSV at home in their final group game.
It means a victory in the Nou Camp will definitely send Harry Kane & Co through – and even a draw might be enough. “Tottenham, like all English clubs, are difficult to play against,” added Vidal.
“They have a great team. We won 4-2 in London but the game was not easy and we know they will come here trying to win. They have to.
“Everyone talks about the threat of Kane in attack but they have good players in every area.
“They have a world champion goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and internationals from all over the world, too.
“So we have to be ready. I can promise, we will be.” LIVERPOOL have raised security concerns with the police ahead of their potentially explosive midweek tie against Napoli.
The Reds are taking no chances before the first return of an Italian club to Merseyside since the trouble that marred their Champions League semi-final against Roma eight months ago.
Officials are anxious to avoid any repeat of the violence that erupted outside the stadium, but Liverpool returned from the briefings satisfied police were sensitive to their worries.
Disturbances
There was friction eight years ago during a Europa League tie when Napoli followers turned up without tickets in Liverpool and disturbances were reported outside Anfield.
The Champions League tie is set against the backdrop of Roma’s controversial visit to Anfield for last season’s semi-final.
Reds fan Sean Cox was left with brain damage after an attack on a pub by visiting fans. Cox remains in rehabilitation but Roma made a big gesture by offering a £133,000 donation to his family.
The fixture comes on a busy week for Merseyside Police as they play host to fierce rivals Manchester United next Sunday with the kick-off moved to 4.30pm from its’ normal midday slot.