The situation in the Premier League top-four chase makes Liverpool's meeting with Tottenham Hotspur especially important, according to visiting manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Just two points separate the sides in the table ahead of their Sunday afternoon clash, with both having won in midweek – against Huddersfield Town and Manchester United respectively.

Spurs’ trip to Anfield is their second of three successive league games with direct rivals, as the north London derby at Wembley follows next weekend.

But for now, Pochettino is fully focused on the difficulty of stopping a squad the Argentinian considers ‘one of the best’ in this country and beyond.

“It’s big, like Manchester United and Arsenal. It’s so important because the level of the opponent is massive,” he told Spurs TV.

“It’s important in the race for the top four, like it was against Manchester United. It’s so important for both teams, we are so close in the race for the top four.

“Liverpool, for me, have one of the best squads in England and Europe. They have amazing players, and great coaching staff and manager. They are so competitive. It will be tough.”