Phil Thompson warns Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk about the threat Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane possess

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Liverpool will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday.

Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson has fired warning shots to Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and told him to be wary of Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will welcome Mauricio Pochettino’s men to Anfield on Sunday, with the Reds chasing the Premier League title and the North London outfit hoping to maintain their top-four status.

There are going to be a number of epic battles when the two teams take to field at the weekend and there is arguably no bigger battle than the one that will take place between Van Dijk and Kane.

Speaking to Sky Sports News (27/03/2019 at 12:40 pm), former Reds player Thompson explained the threats Kane has at his disposal and the decisions his defensive opponents will have to make to try and stop him.

“Harry Kane is one of the best strikers in Europe,” Thompson told Sky Sports News. “For a centre-forward, his work rate, he can drop off into that number 10 role, which makes it very difficult.

“Van Dijk will have to be [at his best] and Joel Matip, if it is him at centre-back when he drifts off in those positons, do you stay? If you do go with him you’ve got them runners, Dele Alli or Son who are going to run into the spaces behind you. He makes it very difficult Harry Kane.

“He scores all kinds of goals as we have seen. From inside the box, he can turn and score, great headers and he can score from outside of the box. He’s a very difficult opponent. Van Dijk and Matip will both have their work cut out. It’s not just the physical side of it, you have to be mentally tough.”

Both Kane and Van Dijk have been in sublime form for their respective clubs this season. The England international continues to find the back of the net with ease, while the Liverpool man has been a brick wall this season.

The individual that wins that mouthwatering battle at the weekend could end up potentially deciding the winner of the match, with a lot riding on the game for both teams.

Klopp’s side are two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City in the table, but they can lose that lead by the time they kick off because Pep Guardiola’s side face Fulham on Saturday.

Added with that, Spurs are on a four-game winless run and desperately need to finish in the Champions League places ahead of their move into their new stadium.