Barcelona Takes Command in Champions League Title Race!
[Getty Images] Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James said that giving up a win against Tottenham won't matter if the Reds can qualify in the Champions League. The hosts were on track to claim all three points at Anfield before Richarlison equalised in the 90th minute on Sunday - which James said was something of an inevitability after Liverpool took a slim lead into the second half. "If you look at Tottenham's results since Igor Tudor has been there, they're not good," he told BBC Radio 5 Live .
"But if you look at the way the results have panned out, there is a consistency - Spurs lose the first half and generally don't lose the second half. "I felt that if Liverpool didn't put it to bed early, Tottenham were going to have a chance of getting back into it. " On Wednesday, Liverpool will host Galatasaray for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
Overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit to stay on the path to silverware is more important than the Reds' Premier League standing, James says. "Liverpool would love to qualify in the Champions League position - but they need to win a trophy," he said. "They need or want to win the trophy more than focusing on finishing fifth.
"Win the Champions League or the FA Cup and I think Liverpool fans will think this is a good season. And I agree. "There's always frustration because you expect to win the game.
Everyone expected Tottenham to roll over and Liverpool to win comfortably. As long as the focus is there for the game against Galatasaray, the Tottenham result won't matter so much. "The main focus will be trying to win the Champions League.