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Tottenham team news: Four ways Spurs can line up against Liverpool – with and without Kane
HARRY KANE has been included in the Tottenham squad for the Champions League final, but the Spurs captain is still a doubt to face Liverpool in Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino will have welcomed the three weeks between Tottenham’s final Premier League match and their Champions League clash with Liverpool as so many of his squad battle fitness issues.
Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez and Harry Winks are all closing in on a return while Kane has been included in the travelling squad and is in contention to feature this weekend.
The Tottenham star has missed the past nine matches since going off against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final but may well start from the off against the Reds.
However, Spurs have plenty of other options if Kane is not included in the starting XI – so who will Pochettino pick?
Straight back in
The ideal choice for Pochettino and what most Tottenham fans will be wishing for before the team news drops.
If Kane is fit, he should play and is most likely to partner Son Heung-min in Spurs’ narrow 4-2-2-2 formation.
Whether he will be able to complete 90 minutes is a different matter, but the frontman will be desperate to lead his side from the off - despite having been sidelined since the start of April.
(4-2-2-2): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Winks; Eriksen, Alli; Kane, Son
Supported from out wide
Kane has found the going tough against Liverpool in both Premier League matches this season, shackled by the physical presence of Virgil van Dijk.
Another battle with the Dutchman could be on the cards, even if Kane tries to target Van Dijk’s defensive partner, so Pochettino must think of a way to get around this problem.
Deploying pacy wingers Son and Lucas Moura could unlock the Liverpool rearguard, with Kane acting as a focal point and his attacking team-mates benefiting from the England ace’s hold-up play.
(4-3-3): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Alli, Eriksen; Lucas, Son, Kane
Lucas continues in attack
Pochettino will hope Kane is available from the off, but all is not lost if the 25-year-old can only start on the bench.
Lucas Moura has been invaluable to Spurs during their Champions League run, scoring a brilliant hat-trick away at Ajax, and would be well-deserving of keeping his place in the starting XI.
Sticking with the 4-2-2-2 will keep Spurs solid through the middle of the park, although much will rely on their ability to break on the counter.
(4-2-2-2): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Winks; Eriksen, Alli; Lucas, Son
Llorente from the off
Fernando Llorente has been a useful stand-in for Kane during his spell on the sidelines, even if his goal return leaves a lot to be desired.
The Spaniard’s hold-up play could be vital if Kane is only utilised off the bench, and the veteran frontman would be flanked by attacking stars Son and Lucas to provide a constant threat.
Such a formation would see Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli drop deeper, although Moussa Sissoko’s emergence as a midfield enforcer will allow the duo to roam forward and offer a creative spark.
(4-3-3): Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Sissoko, Eriksen, Alli; Lucas, Son, Llorente