Andre Villas-Boas: We’ll end Liverpool’s season at Anfield

Posted Sunday, March 10, 2013 by The Sun

Andre Villas-Boas: We’ll end Liverpool’s season at Anfield
ARMED 'N DANGEROUS ... Spurs boss Villas-Boas

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS reckons Spurs can hammer the final nail into Liverpool’s top-four hopes.

His third-placed Spurs side travel to Anfield today looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 13 matches.

Tottenham are 12 points ahead of Brendan Rodgers’ Reds, who are still refusing to give up on their fading dream of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

But AVB said: “They are 10 points off fourth place.

“Will we end their chances if we beat them? You never really know but I think so. Yes.”

While Spurs were preparing to beat Inter Milan 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday, Liverpool — knocked out in the previous round — had a game-free week.

But Spurs boss Villas-Boas scoffed at suggestions this will give the Kop the upper hand today.

He said: “I’m not sure it will. Liverpool wanted to win the Europa League too. The fact they are out and have to see other teams doing so well will be despairing.

“Our legs may be a little bit more tired but we can respond because we have done it in the past.”

AVB has paid the Europa League the utmost respect by fielding strong line-ups in the competition he won with Porto in 2011.

He said: “We wanted to use it as an example for the Champions League in the future.

“So players get used to having to put in the effort in midweek and then again the following weekend.

“At the moment we have had success after most Europa League matches. The only negative results we’ve were at Manchester City and another I can’t remember.”

It was a year ago last week that Villas-Boas was axed by Chelsea.

The widespread belief that his chances of success at Stamford Bridge were sabotaged by senior players was ultimately drowned out by the sound of the open top bus as the Blues went on to lift the FA Cup and Champions League.

That inevitably led to a few raised eyebrows when Tottenham named the Portuguese as Harry Redknapp’s successor a few weeks later.

But after a shaky start, he is now answering his critics at Spurs with Gareth Bale (left) in the form of his life. AVB said: “Most of the players look at each other with pride and that’s what makes a real difference.

“All of them see they are going in the same direction, towards achieving success. That is what Jermain Defoe meant when he said everybody is on the same wavelength.

“All of the players are working for — and inspiring each other.”