Antonio Conte says he is relishing the opportunity to go “face to face” with Liverpool on Saturday as Tottenham continue their pursuit of a Champions League place.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham visit Anfield on Saturday in a must win match for both teams. (Getty Images)
Tottenham face a must win match against Jürgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing team on Saturday and Conte and believes a game where the opponents come with an attacking approach will suit his developing side.
“It is very difficult to play against Liverpool – they are in really good form,” Conte said. “I watched [the Champions League semi-final against] Villarreal and the composure, the calm was incredible. The team is strong, it is one of the best in the world. At the same time it will be a good game for us.
“Whenever you play these top teams it is important there is the great desire to find a way to stop them. Against Manchester City it happened twice and against Liverpool we drew at home. For sure I think it’s better when you play face to face with these teams than when we find a team who are very very deep with not so much of the ball.”
“Liverpool we drew at home. For sure I think it’s better when you play face to face with these teams than when we find a team who are very very deep with not so much of the ball.”
Spurs have dropped points against Brighton and Brentford in recent weeks, failing to register a shot on target against sides who played in compact formations. Last weekend, however, Tottenham returned to winning ways with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Leicester.
“Against Leicester we played face to face: you attack, we attack,” Conte said. “For us it’s better, given the characteristic of our players.”
With four games left in the season, the Lilywhites are fifth in the table, two points behind fierce rivals Arsenal and the coveted Champions League qualification spot.