Ange Postecoglou delivers warning to Liverpool after seeing what his Tottenham side can do

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has sent a clear message to Liverpool ahead of their clash at Anfield on Sunday, stating his team is going there with the intention to win.

The stakes are high for , as they could clinch the title against Tottenham at the weekend, although a lot depends on what happens in clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Despite having little to play for in the league and potentially facing their worst finish in nearly half a century, are shifting their attention towards the Europa League.

The Lilywhites gearing up for a semi-final bout with Bodo/Glimt, with the first leg taking place in north London next Thursday. has had to navigate through a series of injuries this season and opted for a rotated squad in Monday's loss to Nottingham Forest. That result has left Tottenham languishing in 16th place, a staggering 42 points behind table-topping Liverpool.

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However, Liverpool's potential title celebrations could be put on hold if Spurs have their way. Despite the contrasting trajectories of both teams, Postecoglou remains confident that Tottenham can disrupt Liverpool's title ambitions. He has emphasised that a repeat performance of the one against Forest could see them topple the league leaders, reports .

Postecoglou said: "It's a bit of a balancing act and we have to be smart about what we do. We have to be ready for Thursday in a week, with our players healthy. Good test against Liverpool obviously.

"If we play like we did (against Forest) but keep our concentration level where we should be then we can give them a game. I don't think you saw a team that wasn't motivated. It's not like we lost because players chucked it in.

"If that's what people saw then they're watching something different to me. I don't think they lacked motivation today because I thought our football was outstanding. But again we've paid the price for lacking focus and concentration in key moments."

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk is well aware that his side cannot take a win on Sunday for granted. He urged his team-mates to put their full focus into beating Spurs and against growing complacent.

“It’s a great feeling to be in this position, something we don’t take for granted,” Van Dijk said after the Reds beat Leicester. “It’s been, in my opinion, an outstanding season. A lot of good moments. A lot of good moments actually, a lot of wins and good performances.

“Now we have the chance to finish it off on the weekend against a very good Tottenham Hotspur, in my opinion. We played three times already against them this season and every game was very intense.

“We’ve got a week to prepare. If anything happens on Wednesday then happy days, if not then we have to finish it off and we have to be at our best to do that. That’ll be our main focus.

“To be in this position now, it’s a good position but we’re not there yet. We all have to realise that and we will. We’ll make sure of that. It’s a good week of preparation and then we have to be ready.”