Joe Allen: Liverpool must beat Tottenham to close top-four gap

Joe Allen firmly believes that Liverpool can bridge the gap on the top-four ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Everton on Saturday evening, leaving the Reds five points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.

They had a great win against Arsenal so we will need to make sure we’re on top of our game

Joe Allen

The 18-time league champions face all of the current top six before the season finishes, starting with Tottenham tomorrow at Anfield.

Speaking to Liverpool’s website, Allen said: “We will give everything to get into the top four.

“We have ground to make up and work to do but it starts in our next game against Spurs.”

Both sides come into the game off the back of local derbies – and from two differing results, which the former Swansea midfielder says may create an enthralling encounter.

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“It makes for an exciting game,” said the 24-year-old.

“They had a great win against Arsenal so we will need to make sure we’re on top of our game to get the three points.”

On his side’s most recent performance, Allen looked for the positives in what would be described in a gutsy Merseyside derby at best.

“It was a tight contest against Everton,” said the Liverpool midfielder, “We gave everything to get those three points but playing Everton on their own patch is never easy.

“We had chances and on another day one might have gone in. We did come close. On the flip side, it was important not to lose the game. I don’t think we’ll view it as two points dropped.”

Liverpool have made a solid start to the new year and are, as yet, undefeated in the league – with three wins and two draws from their five league fixtures.

The Anfield outfit will be hoping for a repeat performance against Spurs, who they comfortably beat 3-0 at White Hart Lane in August.