'Spurs might have Kane but we’ve got Salah and Firmino!'
Liverpool can make a big statement of their top-four credentials with victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.
That's the view of former Red Gary Gillespie, who believes Jürgen Klopp's side should be targeting a second-placed finish in the Premier League behind runaway leaders Manchester City.
And Gillespie is hopeful that Tuesday's impressive 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town represents a return to form following back-to-back losses to Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion.
“It was so important to get back on track in midweek especially after the disappointment of the two defeats,” Gillespie told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We were back to something like our best. OK, it wasn’t perfect against Huddersfield but I think the intensity was back and that is when we play at our best.
“It’s difficult to play against these teams because they get so many players behind the ball, Swansea were the same, so the result got us back to winning ways and again it breeds a little bit of confidence, especially going into this big game at the weekend.
“I’ve said it all along, from what I’ve seen in the Premier League so far Liverpool are the second best team in the league. Tottenham are just coming into a bit of form and I think when you look at their performances in recent weeks they look pretty strong as well.
“I don’t think there is a great deal between Manchester United and Chelsea and on our day we are the second best team for me.”
Tottenham come into Sunday's fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over United on Wednesday, while Harry Kane is seeking his 100th Premier League goal at Anfield.
But when asked about how should the Reds go about trying to keep Kane quiet, former Liverpool centre-half Gillespie replied: “People talk about keeping Kane quiet, but Tottenham have got the problem in how do you keep Mo Salah and Firmino quiet as well!
“He’s a bit of a phenomenon, is Kane. Every time I look at him how he scores goals because I don’t see that individual flair, but what he seems to be is a player that is always there at the right time.”
On the prospect of the Reds and Spurs going head to head, Gillespie continued: “The scene is set. It’s a little bit like a few weeks ago when we played Manchester City and it’s a mouth-watering prospect.
“I’m sure from the neutral point of view there is going to be excitement, there is going to be goals and I think it could be near to the excitement of the City game with hopefully the right result for Liverpool.
“We’ve got a good home record against Tottenham and let’s hope it continues on Sunday.
“It will be interesting to see what happen because the style they like to play is very much a pressing game a bit like ourselves, but they do play higher up the pitch which does leave a bit more space in behind them.
“Hopefully that is something that Liverpool might be able to exploit and expose with the pace of Sadio Mane and Salah.
“They are two well balanced sides and if Liverpool are looking to win then I think we need to score at least a couple of goals.”