Klopp hails "fantastic" Kane

Jurgen Klopp has described Harry Kane as a "fantastic striker" and expects the Tottenham forward to pose a bigger threat than Romelu Lukaku.

The Liverpool manager was speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to White Hart Lane to take on Spurs and the in-form Kane who has plundered 15 goals in 15 appearances for club and country this season.

Last weekend, the Merseysiders managed to keep Lukaku quiet as they drew 0-0 with Manchester United in a dull encounter at Anfield but while Klopp rates Lukaku very highly, he expects Kane will be harder to contain.

“I don’t have to judge these two. They are both fantastic strikers,” he said.

“The difference is that Harry is much more a part of the game when he is not scoring – but I am pretty sure Lukaku can make these steps too.

“We avoided the balls to Lukaku and that must be a key for Harry as well but if we are too concentrated on one player then Dele Alli is everywhere or Eriksen shoots from everywhere with decisive passes.

“It is a good team so you cannot be concentrated on one player.

“It will be a big challenge for them in the next few years because Harry is not only one of the best strikers in Europe, he is one of the best strikers in the world, 100 per cent.”

The German also expressed his delight at the decision not to schedule Liverpool's trip to Arsenal for Christmas Eve.

“To be honest I don’t know when it happened last time that someone could take something but didn’t take it because of common sense. Sky, thank you! ” he continued.

“I thought it was a very good decision, especially for the fans, that’s number one.

“It is still difficult and we will do everything from the club’s side to bring our fans home on the Friday night but it is a very good sign.

“I’ve said a few times we respect all the contracts the club signed with the Premier League but it is the players who decide how nice the game is.

“When they never can rest it is a problem. We only have one day off football in the year and that should be OK for most of the people”.

Shane Long's Southampton take on James McClean's West Brom in the Premier League on Saturday, 21 October, live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport platform [kick off 5.30pm].

Image: Getty/Laurence Griffiths

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