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Pepe Reina insists Liverpool will have to stop Luka Modric & Gareth Bale if they are to beat Champions League rivals Tottenham
The goalkeeper has warned that the midfield duo must not be allowed to play their natural games if Kenny Dalglish's side are to claim the three points at Anfield on Monday
6 Feb 2012 08:21:00
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EXCLUSIVE
By Francisco Delgado
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says his side must stop Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to stand a chance of beating Tottenham at Anfield on Monday night.
The two players have been in impressive form this season to help Harry Redknapp's men cement their place in the top four and launch an unlikely challenge for the Premier League title.
And Reina, who was in goal as Kenny Dalglish's side lost 4-0 in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane earlier this season, believes the Reds will need to cut off the supply to the midfield duo if they are to gain the three points in a match they "simply have to win".
"Tottenham are third at the moment, which means it won't be easy, but we are playing at Anfield and we have the ability to win on Monday," Reina told Goal.com.
"Tottenham base their play on Bale and Modric, and it's working well for them. So we will have to stop them.
"It will be a very sacrificial match for us with the hard work we will need to put in but if we want to move up the table then we simply have to win it."
The Spain international is also wary of Spurs' striking options and has told his defenders that they must stay focused to deal with the threat posed by Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor.
"Our rivals on Monday are very dangerous in attack," he added. "The defence will have to be very alert with players like Defoe and Adebayor playing directly against them, otherwise things can go badly.
"Spurs are having a good season, which guarantees a great game of football."
Liverpool will move above Arsenal and back into sixth place with a win at Anfield, while a victory for Spurs would see them move to within three points of second-placed Manchester United.
By Francisco Delgado
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says his side must stop Luka Modric and Gareth Bale to stand a chance of beating Tottenham at Anfield on Monday night.
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The two players have been in impressive form this season to help Harry Redknapp's men cement their place in the top four and launch an unlikely challenge for the Premier League title.
And Reina, who was in goal as Kenny Dalglish's side lost 4-0 in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane earlier this season, believes the Reds will need to cut off the supply to the midfield duo if they are to gain the three points in a match they "simply have to win".
"Tottenham are third at the moment, which means it won't be easy, but we are playing at Anfield and we have the ability to win on Monday," Reina told Goal.com.
"Tottenham base their play on Bale and Modric, and it's working well for them. So we will have to stop them.
"It will be a very sacrificial match for us with the hard work we will need to put in but if we want to move up the table then we simply have to win it."
The Spain international is also wary of Spurs' striking options and has told his defenders that they must stay focused to deal with the threat posed by Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor.
"Our rivals on Monday are very dangerous in attack," he added. "The defence will have to be very alert with players like Defoe and Adebayor playing directly against them, otherwise things can go badly.
"Spurs are having a good season, which guarantees a great game of football."
Liverpool will move above Arsenal and back into sixth place with a win at Anfield, while a victory for Spurs would see them move to within three points of second-placed Manchester United.
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Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 4-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
20:14 BST
The general consensus, then, is that Danny Welbeck should be starting up front against France with Ashley Young supporting him. How about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Did he do enough to earn a starting role at Euro 2012?
20:06 BST
So, that game gave a few players a chance to impress for England. Who did/didn't? Will Welbeck start against France? Or Carroll? Or Defoe?!
19:59 BST
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, they are trailing the Netherlands 4-0 at half-time. Looks like that one's all sewn up then.
19:54 BST
We're still getting plenty of Hazard chat on Twitter. A few are now saying that he's not worth the hype, others saying he was brilliant(!?) and others (which I agree with), saying he created much of his own hype. What do you think? Get involved!
19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
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