The Mirror

Ange Postecoglou has insisted Tottenham winning the Europa League will be a bigger achievement than Manchester United lifting the FA Cup last season. And the Spurs boss urged his players to seize the “unbelievable opportunity” before hosting Norwegian side Bodo Glimt in the semi-final first leg on Thursday night.

Erik ten Hag dodged the axe and was awarded a transfer extension last season after winning at Wembley but was still dismissed in October. The Aussie boss is facing the sack with his side down in 16th place after a shocking 19 Premier League defeats.

But they are also only three games away from a first European trophy in 41 years - and a return to the Champions League. “I'm really strong at the moment with these parallel worlds we're trying to traverse, and I've sensed that - and this is the way this club is perceived - that people are always trying to diminish it in some respects,” said Postecoglou.

“I've heard people say: ‘Well, it's the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup’. No, it ain't. I'm sorry, it's not on any planet the equivalent. Others are suggesting that maybe we're not worthy of the Champions League. Again, they're things that are designed there to diminish what's ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.

“Irrespective of how this season's gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, to share again with the people that they love, a special moment, supporting their football club, so this season could have gone a lot differently and we could be flying in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different. The opportunity is the same.

"I've made that clear to the players. We're disappointed obviously with Sunday at Liverpool, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be, but again, that's something we need to deal with separately. What we have before us is a semi-final of a European competition with an opportunity to get to a final, win a trophy, Champions League football. I just think for the players and everyone involved at the football club, it's a brilliant opportunity.”

Tottenham won the UEFA Cup in 1984 when Liverpool won the league and Spurs manager Keith Burkinshaw left the club. “I just don't think that we can do anything other than really concentrate on an unbelievable opportunity we've got before us,” Postecoglou repeated.

“I just think irrespective of what kind of season you have, how often will you be in this position? History tells you not that often, irrespective of how strong you are as a club, even the strongest clubs in terms of Europe. So any thought of what's going to happen next year or what's going to happen this year I just don't think is really of any importance.

“I think you ask any Tottenham supporter what's furthermost in their mind right now, what's going to happen next year or us hopefully trying to get to a final in Europe and the opportunity to win some silverware, I think the answer would be just concentrate on the now and that's what I'm doing.”

Bodo Glimt, from a town of 42,00 people, are the first Norwegian men’s team to reach last four of major European club competition after beating Lazio on penalties. Postecoglou has already suffered a 5-1 defeat on aggregate defeat to Kjetil Knutsen’s side in a Europa Conference League playoff when he was the Celtic boss in February 2022.

“I think Bodo's there on merit,” added the Spurs boss. ‘They beat Lazio, they beat Olympiakos, tough teams. They're there because they're a good football team. Doesn't matter where you come from.

"That's what I love about the game, that's the beauty of football. Irrespective of where you come from, or the size of the place that you come from, if you're ambitious and if you have a clear plan, especially in our sport, you can create unique opportunities and create fantastic moments. I think that's what we love about the game, that's what we love about football. There's always been stories of clubs from smaller areas or small countries doing well in major competitions. That's always existed."

Tottenham Hotspur say a number of supporters have been banned because they were found to have sold tickets to Liverpool fans for the Anfield away end last weekend

Tottenham Hotspur say they have handed out indefinite bans to a number of supporters after Liverpool fans ended up buying tickets for the away end at Anfield so they could see Arne Slot’s team crowned Premier League champions.

A number of Reds supporters were blocked from entering the stadium while several others were ejected during the game by stewards and Spurs say in every case the match ticket they possessed was initially issued to one of their fans.

Spurs also say that before the game they made a number “targeted purchases from unofficial resale websites” to prevent further instances of Liverpool fans gaining access.

Spurs said in a statement: “The club has always been clear that the unauthorised resale of match tickets is strictly prohibited. This is considered an offence under our sanctions and banning policy, and we have already issued points deductions this season to individuals who have passed or resold away tickets to fellow Spurs fans.

“Forwarding away tickets to fans of the home team is considered a particularly serious offence as it creates uncomfortable and potentially unsafe environments for supporters who have purchased their tickets legitimately. It also undermines the integrity of our ticketing point system and brings the Club’s name into disrepute.

“As previously communicated, we operate a zero-tolerance approach towards ticket touting and all forms of unofficial ticket resale. We have therefore identified the supporters whose tickets were purchased from resale websites, and those whose tickets were found in possession of home fans, and will be issuing the following sanctions to each:

Immediate removal of season ticket

Cancellation of all match tickets – home and away – for the remainder of the 2024/25 season

Removal of all ticketing points

Indefinite club ban – to be reviewed after three years

"We have written to each supporter individually to confirm these sanctions.”

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust said: “We support the club’s efforts to crack down on ticket touting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and for away tickets, where demand vastly outweighs supply. Selling or passing on tickets is unfair to fans who would otherwise have qualified for an away ticket or have been able to buy a home one.”

Spurs are gearing up to face Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday night, a tie that will decide the future of head coach Ange Postecoglou following a dismal domestic campaign.

But captain Heung-min Son is set to miss out because of an injury. He was not spotted at their open training session on Wednesday morning.

Bodo/Glimt have built smartly to reach Europa League semi-finals and under pressure Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has already been defeated by the Norwegian champions

Havard Sakariassen remembers a time in the not too distant past when Bodo/Glimt were so cash-strapped the players washed their own kits. So as the Arctic Circle underdogs head to Tottenham on Thursday, their former striker turned director of football could be forgiven for being dazzled by the bright lights.

Except the Norwegian champions, from a town with enough inhabitants to fill only four-fifths of Spurs’ stadium, have built a team of canny operators with a penchant for upsetting the bigger boys. Lazio and Olympiacos have been dumped out already and they made Manchester United sweat in the league phase, leading at Old Trafford before losing 3-2.

Three years ago Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was defeated 5-1 on aggregate when in charge of Celtic and under long-serving head coach Kjetil Knutsen they have come on leaps since. Bodo are becoming a model for clubs from the continent’s lesser leagues – lifting trophies and improving while still making a profit.

“If you go back 10 years, this club was nearly bankrupt,” Sakariassen says. Now they have revenues exceeding £40m and while that may be a fraction of what Spurs generate, how they use it is a lesson in efficiency.

“There is probably quite a big correlation between money and success in football but not always,” Sakariassen continues. “But nobody has given us money outside of prize money or stuff like this in those 10 years so I think it shows we can achieve stuff if you work well all the time.”

They have recruited mostly young Scandinavian players, developing them and selling several on for fees that are reinvested to further improve. Knutsen has been linked with a Premier League move in the past and Sakariassen says the 56-year-old will be applauded the whole way to the airport if he eventually decides to leave.

They have won four of the past five league titles and maintained the same big-picture tactical approach throughout with Sakariassen’s job as recruitment chief focused on bringing in the right players to suit the system.

"The squad is quite similar to how it was when we first won the league in 2020,” he continues. “We have some Danish players, maybe four or five local players. The club is much more solid. The financial muscles are much bigger. We run the club on the same principles today. We have achieved all that we have achieved because we believed in this from the start.

“We are more professional. We have much more people working in the club, and we try to get the best out of everyone, to take every momentum we can. We have a clear way of playing, which makes it easier to recruit players. We play 4-3-3.

“The demands of each role are really easy to identify so we look for players with an X-factor, players who can make a difference for us in Europe. We truly believe we can develop players and those players can get to their full potential.

“We need a blend of older players with experience, younger players and those peaking in performance, but they all have to be able to handle the intensity we demand, and that can be hard for older players."

Bodo’s players feel that Postecoglou’s previous experience of them means no chance they will be underestimated but there is also no shortage of belief. In particular Sakariassen has recognised improvements to their mentality in away games. “We have cracked some codes regarding performance, especially away,” he adds. “To be more cynical, not to be naive going to good teams in Europe.

“At home we want to go out, dominate teams and have possession. Away in Europe we try to do that but of course sometimes you meet teams that are truly, truly good. You can't be naive playing against these teams. You have to adjust the mindset.

“It's something that comes with experience. We've learnt a lot because we've played decent away games this year in pressured situations.”

They do, however, have half a dozen injuries and suspensions to contend with in north London, meaning the aim is to keep the tie close before Spurs visit their 8,000-capacity Aspmyra Stadion, with its plastic pitch and 24-hour sunlight.

Tottenham's Richarlison had a spat with Harvey Elliott during Liverpool's 5-1 win at Anfield on Sunday, yet the Brazilian's relationship with former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was far from fractured

Liverpool's complicated relationship with ex-Everton star Richarlison was thrust back into the spotlight following a spat with Reds' midfielder Harvey Elliott on Sunday. After Liverpool crushed Spurs 5-1 to clinch the Premier League title, the former Everton player once again cemented himself as persona non grata with the Kop.

However, the Brazilian international has previously shown a softer side towards the Red half of Merseyside, thanks to an unexpected mutual respect with Jurgen Klopp. Richarlison spent four years at Everton before making a £60million move to Spurs in the summer of 2022.

When Everton signed Richarlison from Watford in 2018, Klopp was full of admiration for the star.

"[Marco, former Everton manager] Silva has the best Everton squad [I have faced]," Klopp said at the time. "He brought in Richarlison, what a player he is. It's the best-tuned squad, 100 per cent."

However, it wasn't long before the Blues' star ruffled Klopp's feathers with a nasty tackle on Thiago Alcantara during a fiery derby at Goodison Park in 2020.

Richarlison received a straight red card, but the challenge sidelined Thiago for two months. Virgil van Dijk also sustained a season-ending injury in the same match due to a reckless tackle from Jordan Pickford.

Klopp was far from pleased with the Everton pair after the incident, reports the Liverpool Echo. "Something happened which for sure should not have happened in a football game," Klopp said a few days later.

"It's not the first time and it will probably not be the last time, but yes, I see it similar to my players. Both challenges were difficult to accept, let me say it like this."

The pair were later involved in a touchline fracas during Liverpool's controversial defeat to Tottenham in 2023. Klopp was again not happy with Richarlison over a rough tackle on Mohamed Salah.

However, it appeared that any conflict between them was firmly put to bed upon Klopp leaving the Reds in the summer of 2024.

As Klopp was preparing to leave Anfield, Richarlison shared an unprompted, and classy, message on Instagram alongside a picture of him embracing the German coach.

It read: "Despite the rivalry that was only on the pitch, you are one of the best managers I have ever seen. May God bless your journey.”

Liverpool fans, surprised by the gesture, even found themselves commending the former Toffee. One fan wise-cracked: "Wow, I no longer hate him. That's nice of him."

However, it seems Richarlison may have fallen out of favour with Reds' supporters once more. As the clock ticked down to Arne Slot's side becoming champions at the weekend, the Brazilian was outraged with Elliott's daring attempt of a nutmeg when play was halted for a foul.

The Brazilian confronted Elliott, leading to an altercation that was marked by Elliott's '30' hand gesture towards the ex-Evertonian.

There's been speculation that Elliott was alluding to Everton's long-standing, 30-year trophy drought, with Richarlison still widely loved by the Toffees faithful, and the admiration is very much reciprocated.

The spat didn't just stay on the pitch, however, as the 27-year-old fired back at Elliott in the comments of a TikTok video. "He wants to reach 30 goals in his career I think [grinning face with sweat emoji]," Richarlison posted.

Once a blue, always a blue...

Liverpool will be crowned Premier League champions if they draw or win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on this afternoon and fans are getting ready for an almighty celebration

The day is finally here. Arne Slot and Liverpool need just one point from their Premier League match at home to Tottenham Hotspur, and then the celebrations can truly begin.

Arsenal's midweek draw with Crystal Palace has left Slot's Reds on the precipice. For some fans, the celebrations have already started, with crowds gathering around Anfield long before the 4.30pm kick-off.

It will be Slot's first Premier League title - secured at the first time of asking - and Liverpool's second. It will also see Slot become the first Dutch manager to win the prestigious trophy. Their 2020 victory was sealed without fans in the stadium, though, so this will have been a long time coming for a number of their supporters.

With a 20th top-flight title - be it the Premier League or the old First Division - Liverpool will draw level with Manchester United in the overall standings. We'll have all the build-up for you as we get closer to kick-off at Anfield. Stay right here as Mirror Football brings you all you need throughout the afternoon.

Fans in good spirits

Liverpool supporters have already made their way towards Anfield to get the party started early.

In addition to the thousands in the home end, many more will be watching the game around Liverpool city centre.

Just a couple of hours to go until kick-off.

Party atmosphere in full effect

Some might be saving their celebrations for after the final whistle, but others aren't waiting that long.

Fans have been letting off flares as the extended celebrations get into full swing, and there's still nearly an hour to go until the line-ups get revealed for today's game.

Transfer chat continues for Liverpool

A number of players have been linked with a summer switch to Anfield, including Bournemouth duo Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen.

There's a newish name on their radar, though, with reports suggesting a move for Adam Wharton could be on the cards.

Central midfielder Wharton, who travelled to Euro 2024 as part of the England squad last summer, helped current club Crystal Palace reach this season's FA Cup final.

Fans travelling from far and wide

There's bound to be a strong local turnout today, but Liverpool fans have come to the game from all around the UK and further afield.

Alex Metcalfe and his son Lee have come down from York, along with Jamie Hickey and his father Adrian.

Others have made their way along from as far afield as the UAE and United States to take in the action.

Reds star could miss out on medal

In any Premier League title-winning season, all players with five or more appearances for the champions will earn a medal.

A handful of players are still short of that tally - most notably summer signing Federico Chiesa, who has played just four league games in an injury-hit season.

The Italian, who scored in the Carabao Cup final, has been an unused substitute in seven of Liverpool's last nine games but will ope for more minutes between now and May.

Ready for the celebrations

In Liverpool city centre, the T-shirt sellers are expecting today to be the day.

There will be a few fans reluctant to jinx things, but others are getting ready to celebrate already.

Slot's message to his players

In his programme notes for today's game, Arne Slot reminded his players there's still work to be done before they can celebrate.

"The overriding message today is very simple – we have a job to do," he wrote.

"Finishing top of this league would be an incredible achievement and having put ourselves in a position to do so, we now need to finish the work that began all the way back in the summer of last year."

What's next for Liverpool?

If Liverpool get the job done today, there will be plenty of fans hoping the Reds don't take their foot off the gas.

The Reds will round off their season with matches against Chelsea (A), Arsenal (H), Brighton (A) and Crystal Palace (H).

Their trip to Chelsea will be particularly significant for those clubs battling it out with the Blues for Champions League qualification - Enzo Maresca's side sit in the fifth and final Champions League spot, ahead of Nottingham Forest on goal difference, though Nuno's men have a game in hand.

Arne Slot aiming to join a select group

Arne Slot is set to become a Premier League champion in his first season in English football, something only four other men have achieved before.

Jose Mourinho was the first, leading Chelsea to glory in the 2004-05 season after joining from Porto, while Carlo Ancelotti was another first-time winner with Chelsea in 2009-10.

Four years later, Manuel Pellegrini's first Manchester City season ended in glory, while Antonio Conte got the job done with Chelsea in 2016-17 with a stunning 93-point haul.

Liverpool can still beat that tally, as five wins from their final five games would see them finish with 94 points in total.

Hello and welcome!

At around 6.30pm tonight, we may well have a new Premier League champion.

We'll have updates for you throughout the afternoon, including team news, quotes and all the latest from the fans gearing up to celebrate on Merseyside and beyond.

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Conor Benn was beaten by Chris Eubank Jnr at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Simon Jordan mocking the north London club's lack of success over recent decades

Simon Jordan has mocked Tottenham's trophy drought after Conor Benn claimed he wanted to "go to an empty room" after losing to Chris Eubank Jnr. He was dealt the first defeat of his career at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Eubank Jnr and Benn clashed some 35 years after their respective fathers went at it in a world title battle. Nigel Benn lost on that occasion in 1990 and his son, Conor, was on the wrong end of the judges' scorecards as they all called it 116-12.

Benn hadn't tasted defeat as a professional prior to Saturday night, which came after he made the decision to step up in weight. He wanted some time alone in the aftermath of the loss and Jordan has poked fun at Tottenham and their lack of success - suggesting the club's trophy room would be a good spot.

Tottenham's wait for silverware has been well documented with their last trophy coming when they won the Carling Cup back in 2008. That remains their only success for more than three decades amid accusations they focus more on off field revenue than they do on footballing success.

Jordan said on social media: "Conor Benn has just stated … 'I'm devastated about losing this fight, I need to go to an empty room to gather my thoughts for a while'. Daniel Levy has just given him the keys to the Spurs trophy room and said crack on."

Levy has copped the brunt of fan anger with protests being held against the Tottenham chairman. He's been at the helm for years but his lack of ambition has been questioned numerous times. Levy has been through several managers and is tipped to axe Ange Postecoglou this summer.

He led the ambition to create a world class stadium for Tottenham, but their incredible venue is not backed up by stellar football on the pitch. It has helped create huge revenue for the club though and held yet another night of boxing with Eubank Jnr and Benn headlining the card.

Benn has has made it clear he wants to get his own back: "It's a hard one to swallow. I didn't come into the fight thinking it would be that close, I didn't come in to lose or for anything apart from winning. I want my revenge. I didn't think I lost the fight, but I don't want to be delusional and say I won the fight."

The terms have been agreed for a potential rematch later this year, although Benn has other options, but maintains he's not a Eubank Jnr fan.

"He still ain't my cup of tea, I wouldn't sit down and have a chat with him," he said. "There's respect, we've gone 12 rounds together but he's Chris isn't he? I like him as much as I possibly can, given the situation."

Tottenham have lodged a request with the Premier League to have their fixture with Aston Villa changed - the clash at Villa Park is currently set to be played on Sunday May 18

Tottenham are in the midst of discussions with the Premier League as they look to get their clash with Aston Villa moved. Currently the clash at Aston Villa is scheduled to take place on Sunday May 18.

The game at Villa Park is currently listed as a 2.15pm kick-off but Tottenham are seeking a change to the date and time. It is likely motivated by the London outfit potentially featuring in the Europa League final, which takes place on Wednesday May 21.

Tottenham produced an impressive display to see off Frankfurt in the quarter-finals recently - which has set up a semi-final with Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt. The club are looking to end a lengthy wait for a trophy and could face the prospect of a final against either Athletic Bilbao or Manchester United - who currently play Chelsea on the Friday before the final.

Should both United and Spurs reach the final, the Red Devils would have two more days to prepare for the blockbuster clash. The final itself is being held at San Mames in Bilbao and Tottenham's fixture change would allow them extra preparation for a potential final. They would need to fly to Spain in the day leading up to the game.

A club statement read: "We should like to inform supporters that we are in discussions with the Premier League regarding a change in date to our away Premier League match against Aston Villa, currently scheduled for Sunday 18 May."

Tottenham's clash at Villa Park is their penultimate game of the season with their season finishing at home to Brighton. Postecoglou has presided over a difficult season in north London with Tottenham losing more than half of the league games. They languish in the bottom half, which has cast doubt over the future of the Australian beyond this season.

When these two sides met back in November Dominic Solanke scored two of Tottenham's four as they hammered Villa to go up to seventh - before their decline began. They've already clashed once at Villa Park this term, that came in the FA Cup with Unai Emery's side winning 2-1.

Villa have since been knocked out of the FA Cup having been well beaten by Crystal Palace on Saturday. Tottenham enjoyed success in this fixture 12 months ago as they secured a 4-0 win at Villa Park when both teams were eyeing a spot in the top four.

Emery's side are in the midst of another battle to secure a spot in next season's Champions League. Five teams are eyeing three spots with Villa going up against Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday knowing just one point against Ange Postecoglou's side will be sufficient to claim their first Premier League title in five years

The Premier League crown looks bound for Anfield as Liverpool play host to Tottenham in a glorious chance to finally wrap up this season's title chase. The Reds have looked like silverware shoo-ins for a number of months but will have their chance to make things official on Sunday.

Arne Slot has performed admirably during his debut season on Merseyside, losing just two of his first 33 league games in England. But despite Arsenal keeping alive some semblance of a title challenge, Wednesday's 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace means even a draw will be enough for the Reds to wrap up their 20th top-flight title.

This will be the fourth time this season that Liverpool and Spurs have faced off, with Slot's side leading the head-to-head by two wins to one. They triumphed 6-3 in north London back in December before each team took their respective home leg during the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Liverpool went on to lose the final of that competition against Newcastle United but can redeem themselves by securing Slot's first silverware at home to Spurs on Sunday. Here, Mirror Football provides the information needed to tune in.

When is Liverpool vs Tottenham?

Slot's side will welcome Ange Postecoglou's men to Anfield on Sunday afternoon for a game with huge implications. The final fixture of the Premier League weekend will kick off at 4.30pm, and it looks as though there's every chance Liverpool will go out with a bang.

However, many English football fans face a choice in programming due to the fact this matchup clashes with the FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City. That Premier League pair have a simultaneous kick-off at Wembley, meaning those watching at home have a decision to make between which trophy matters more.

How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham

Sunday's showdown promises fireworks after these two teams produced nine goals the last time they met in the league. The Reds have looked considerably more tetchy in recent weeks, however, and it would be a shock to see a repeat of that action at Anfield.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can tune into the match via Sky Sports Main Event or Sky Sports Premier League, with the build-up beginning at 4pm on both channels. Alternatively, subscribers can live stream the fixture using the Sky Go app.

Trophy lift details

Five years after their last league title win, Liverpool fans are waiting with bated breath ahead of the trophy's return to Merseyside. But that wait will go on a little bit longer, regardless of the result against Spurs.

The Premier League's standard practice is to hand out the trophy to the winning side at their final home game of the season, which also happens to be the campaign concluder for the Reds, with Crystal Palace visiting on May 25.

It's then that Virgil van Dijk will hold aloft the red-ribboned trophy, despite him and his team-mates potentially getting over the line with four games to spare.

LIVERPOOL vs TOTTENHAM: Dejan Kulusevski has returned to full fitness at the perfect time for Spurs as they begin to gear up for next week's Europa League semi-final vs Bodo/Glimt

Dejan Kulusevski insists Tottenham must learn from their domestic struggles if they are to win the Europa League. The Swedish maestro made his first top-flight start in over eight weeks on Monday night as Spurs fell to their 18th Premier League defeat of the season against Nottingham Forest.

Now Ange Postecoglou's strugglers are on the chopping block at Anfield against Liverpool - a draw would see Arne Slot's Reds crowned champions - and Kulusevski expects a response ahead of next week's crunch European semi-final showdown against Bodo/Glimt.

He said of Spurs' inconsistency: "It's been really frustrating but I think you've got to respect the game and do everything right, every second of every day.

"It's not enough doing it just against [Eintracht] Frankfurt, we can't come out and concede the goals we did against Nottingham Forest and everyone has to take responsibility for that, every player and every coach, it can't happen. We've lost points that we should not lose, it's very frustrating, we have a lot to learn from."

Standard-setter Kulusevski is determined to rescue Tottenham's ill-fated campaign following a significant spell on the sidelines with a foot injury. He is optimistic his timely return to the Spurs fold can help breathe new life into Postecoglou's ranks.

The 25-year-old continued: "I was very angry [when injured] but you've got to think about the process, you can't give up and it's good to be back playing football.

"Now we have to be ready for the next game against Liverpool and then the Europa League. I've done everything possible to be back because I know with a stress fracture it's not easy.

"I couldn't move for a month with a boot on my foot but thanks to that, I am fit now and there's nothing to complain about.

"Honestly I feel great, Monday was my first start since Ipswich and I was close to scoring so I will take the positives."

Kulusevski might not be vocal in the dressing room but he always strives to lead on the pitch. He admits Tottenham have been suffering from mental and physical fatigue all season, particularly in the aftermath of their European exploits.

The ex-Juventus star said when asked why Spurs have failed to replicate their Europa League form in the Premier League: "You can see the teams that don't play in more than one competition and the teams that do.

"It's much more difficult because when you go so high, always the day after you feel so drained, you have no energy.

"This is what people need to understand, that's why you've got to do the right things to come back so you don't drop too much because you lose so much energy and things happen in your head, that's what us footballers have got to figure out."

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is determined for his team to put in a big performance against Liverpool despite bigger priorities to come in the Europa League next week

Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham Hotspur want to do more than come through Sunday’s visit to Liverpool without any fresh injury concerns. A point for Arne Slot’s Reds will confirm the title heads to Anfield and while Spurs’ focus is firmly on their Europa League semi-final next week, Postecoglou expects his team to put in a big performance.

Asked if Sunday’s top priority will be to emerge unscathed, Postecoglou said: “We want to do more than that. We want to go there and compete against a very good side and compete well. It's not about getting through unscathed. We want to play well against a top team. That's the primary importance to us.”

Looking beyond Liverpool towards the first leg of the tie with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou continued: “You just got to try and deal with what’s before you. We’re aware our league form and position is nowhere near good enough but we also know there’s an unbelievable opportunity on the horizon.

“That’s where the focus is and should be for a club that hasn’t a lot of success recently. The players have a wonderful opportunity. Collectively if we give ourselves every opportunity to progress to a final, the momentum we get that will give us a chance to do something special.”

Postecoglou, whose team have lost 18 times already in the league, also piled the praise on Liverpool boss Slot for how he has navigated his first season since replacing Jurgen Klopp. “He’s an outstanding manager and picked up an outstanding team. They’ve been brilliant in the league this year, really consistent and had their best players playing all the time at a really high level.

“That’s a credit to Arne, his coaching group and the players themselves. The fact they are on the cusp of winning another title is credit to them.”

The Spurs boss also said he had no issue with Cristian Romero giving an interview earlier this week in which he claimed that a transfer to La Liga would interest him. Argentina defender Romero did say Europe remains his top priority despite the eagerness to test himself in Spain.

And Postecoglou responded: “I’ve not read it too closely. But if you get asked the question you’ve got to answer it. If you asked me questions about my future, you’d get some great headlines. What matters now is not the future.

“It’s that we have an opportunity to do something unbelievably special at this club. For our supporters that’s what’s the most important thing right now. We’re in the last four of a European competition, that’s where our focus is.”