SPURS V LFC PREVIEW

SPURS V LFC PREVIEW Paul Hassall 10 May 2008
	It's the match that pits Rafael Benitez against Juande Ramos... Two successful Spaniards, renowned for their coaching acumen, going head-to-head for the first time in English football.
With both sides already assured of European football next season there is nothing more than pride at stake - and yet both managers will be determined to get one over on their compatriot and sign off the Premier League campaign with a victory. It is the first time Carling Cup winning coach Ramos will have faced Liverpool since taking charge of the White Hart Lane outfit, and he will be hoping his Spurs side can improve upon the 2-2 draw his predecessor Martin Jol secured at Anfield back on October 7, 2007 - when a last-gasp header from Fernando Torres denied them all three points. The home side will have to try and achieve this without goalkeeper Paul Robinson who has aggravated an ankle injury, but Ramos has been boosted by the news that Dimitar Berbatov has recovered from a groin strain. Ledley King, Gareth Bale and Benoit Assou-Ekotto are all still out, but Teemu Tainio has resumed training following an achilles injury. Ramos is anticipating a tough test against Liverpool, and identifies Fernando Torres as the man huis Spurs outfit must be most wary of. "We know it will be very difficult against Liverpool," said Head Coach Juande. "They are a very solid team defensively, they work very hard and they are dangerous in attack with players like Fernando Torres scoring the goals he does. "We will have to play well and not make any mistakes - we have to play a tremendous game. "We are very positive. It's a great game in front of our fans at White Hart Lane and we just hope we can send everyone off with a victory." Ramos also revealed that he has been unsurprised by Torres' sensational first season in England. He added: "It doesn't surprise me because he’s a magnificent player and if he is going to score goals in Spain, then he will score goals in England. I'm not surprised he’s adapted so quickly." Liverpool head into the match at White Hart Lane hoping to emulate last season's 1-0 success when a Luis Garcia strike on the stroke of half-time clinched an impressive victory. The Reds have already scored 117 goals this campaign - the highest total in all-competitions from any Premier League side - and Benitez wants his team to sign off the season in style. "You always want to win but if it is possible to win, play well and score some goals it is much better," he said. "It's not easy when you play your last game away and I think it is easier for the home team. "We have people who are hungry and want to score more goals, more than 117 and we want another clean sheet for the keeper and also we want three more points. We will try to do our best." The Reds boss revealed that Fabio Aurelio could return for his side after recovering from a groin injury but Daniel Agger, despite being fit enough to train, will not be risked. Youngsters Damien Plessis, Emiliano Insua and Krisztian Nemeth could also step up from the reserves after impressing during Gary Ablett's side's treble winning season.