Lloris fears Suarez factor could derail Spurs

Football | Barclays Premier League

Hugo Lloris

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14 December 2013, 07:15

Hugo Lloris admits Luis Suarez presents the biggest barrier to Tottenham's efforts to continue their recent revival with victory over Liverpool on Sunday.

Andre Villas-Boas' Spurs side have recovered impressively from the shock of losing 6-0 at Manchester City and will face the Reds at White Hart Lane knowing victory will bring them level on points with Brendan Rodgers' team.

Since the City defeat, which came on the back of a home loss to Newcastle, Spurs have won four and drawn one to haul themselves back into contention in the Premier League title race and wrap up qualification to the Europa League knock-out stages.

Another victory would enhance belief at the north London club that the season is back on track but French goalkeeper Lloris knows they must cope with the threat of Suarez, the top-flight's in-form striker who has scored 15 times already this season.



"They have a very good team with a superb striker in Suarez," Lloris said.
"It's true that, at the moment, maybe he's the best player in the Premier League, but we have to show good resilience when we come up against him and against the team as a whole.
"You know when you play against a great player that you have to expect anything at any moment, so we just have to make sure that we remain focused and concentrate on our game.
"It's important to get a good result against Liverpool and to get the win because there is only three points difference between them and us."

Villas-Boas must decide whether to recall striker Roberto Soldado, who pressed his claims with a hat-trick in the 4-1 midweek Europa League victory over Anzhi Makhachkala after being replaced by Jermain Defoe in the last two Premier League line-ups.
Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is in contention after returning against Anzhi after a month's absence with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rodgers believes the trip to Tottenham starts a run of four games that will give him a clear indication of what his team can aim for this season.
The Reds head into the weekend second in the table after 15 matches and they trail leaders Arsenal by five points.
After the trip to White Hart Lane, Rodgers' team host Cardiff before travelling to Manchester City and Chelsea to finish off 2013.

The three away matches are against teams that have a minimum expectation of finishing in the top four and Rodgers is looking forward to measuring his own side against tough opposition.
"There are four games from Tottenham away to Chelsea away, which takes us to the end of the year and the 19-game mark," Rodgers said.

"By the halfway point we'll have played everyone else and have a greater measure of where we're at.
"I think it's important to look at your goals that way and strategically try to map things out.
"It's very difficult to forecast because you never know what the opposing team will bring.

"What you can do is try and prepare so that you bring your 'A game' to each fixture. And if we can bring our 'A game' into the majority of our fixtures, we will win them.
"I'm pleased with the progress because we've sat second in the league, but while there's space up above us we'll continue to fight."

Defender Daniel Agger and midfielder Jordan Henderson are set to overcome respective illness and an ankle problem in order to feature against Spurs.
But Reds captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for at least a month with a hamstring injury and Daniel Sturridge is absent with an ankle problem.