Champions League: Spurs & Man City win but Liverpool held

There are only three or four teams capable of winning the Champions League and I think Manchester City are the best-placed English team.

But I am not sure they are at the level to go and win the tournament. They have an unbelievable squad to pick from so they won't have a problem there.

Do they have that something extra to win the Champions League? I'm not so sure.

Champions League top goalscorers this season...

Harry Kane - 5

Cristiano Ronaldo - 4

Wissam Ben Yedder - 4

We may be seeing more of Fabian Delph at full-back then. A real shame as Benjamin Mendy had started brilliantly at City.

Incredibly consistent...

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: "It was a tough game. They were very motivated. It was important to get three points. It was a must win. We were fantastic. Today there were some good performances from players who are not regulars and a hat-trick for Harry Kane, it was a fantastic performance.

"I am happy because in some games maybe we dominate and create lot of chances and cannot score. Tonight we were clinical in front of goal."

Liverpool clearly have an issue with the two goalkeepers. They need at least one centre-back so they can stop conceding goals.

Until they address the defensive problems, I don't see them having the consistency to challenge in the Premier League.

You get top quality players that can perform in the system better than others. The players that are playing in this system are not of the quality they should be.

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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola: "A lot of credit to what we have done. The way Shakhtar play, they demand a lot of us but our high pressing was brilliant. We had problems in the first half, we did not make enough passes in a row but the second half was much, much, much better. We are so, so happy for the win.

"They were very narrow and there was little space in between but then our full-backs were able to dictate and created a lot of chances for another four or five goals.

"Even at 1-0, we were stable. We did not score goals but it was a demanding game. The next game against Napoli will be even tougher.

"Fabian Delph was man of the match. When a guy who is so kind and can help the team, he is intelligent, is physical and never loses the ball. He controlled Marlos and did it very well."

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paulo Fonseca: "I am unhappy because we lost but must be proud with the way we played. We showed great courage with the way we behaved on the field - we tried to play, and keep possession and we were attacking very well.

"We were very compact and we were not leaving many gaps for them, and trying to attack them. I always watch all the matches of City and this year City have not met a team who has created any problems and that is why I am not happy with the loss.

"I think all our players were playing at a very good level and as I said, it is difficult to come here and demonstrate such courage as our guys have demonstrated today."

Gareth Bale has been under fire as of late but his sensational volley tonight surely silenced some doubters.

Liverpool's attack to blame...

SMS Message: LFC need a striker and Klopp will need to do everything to bring Lewandowski!!! from Anonymous

LFC need a striker and Klopp will need to do everything to bring Lewandowski!!!

SMS Message: Sturridge needs to take a leaf out of Harry Kane’s book on how to pass and finish off chances from Lewis

Sturridge needs to take a leaf out of Harry Kane’s book on how to pass and finish off chances

SMS Message: I'm a Liverpool fan I think the players did ok but seems to be no passion with in the squad loads of chances but no clinical finishing is Jurgen right man for us?? from Ian, Liverpool

I'm a Liverpool fan I think the players did ok but seems to be no passion with in the squad loads of chances but no clinical finishing is Jurgen right man for us??

Liverpool now face Maribor back-to-back. Pick six points up from those two games and the world's a much rosier place for the Reds.

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BT Sport: "It was a crazy game. To create all those chances and only score one goal feels average.

"What can I say? We created, created and created. Where is the real point for criticism? We tried with all we had. The effort was great.

"We have to be more clinical 100% for sure. The only way to change it is to do it again."

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Like all players, you want to win things and get medals. If you can't show your grandson a few medals then you are missing something.

Tottenham probably had their best chance of winning the Premier League title two years ago when Leicester proved everyone wrong.

They just can't find the back of the net!

What do you think is behind Liverpool's mishaps this season?

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SMS Message: That performance has angered me more than away at the Ethiad. It's no good having that sort of pace if your team's overall decision making is so poor. Lost count of the amount of times the wrong pass was played in the final third. Our tactic seemed to be get it to the full backs and get the ball in, yet Liverpool aren't exactly famed for their aerial threat. from Sam, Liverpool

That performance has angered me more than away at the Ethiad. It's no good having that sort of pace if your team's overall decision making is so poor. Lost count of the amount of times the wrong pass was played in the final third. Our tactic seemed to be get it to the full backs and get the ball in, yet Liverpool aren't exactly famed for their aerial threat.

SMS Message: Liverpool are so frustrating, so effective going forward but can't finish, they need a prolific striker, Daniel Sturridge isn’t the player he was, so greedy and just wastes chances left right and centre. from Lewis

Liverpool are so frustrating, so effective going forward but can't finish, they need a prolific striker, Daniel Sturridge isn’t the player he was, so greedy and just wastes chances left right and centre.

SMS Message: Same old rubbish from Klopp. No natural striker, no leader in midfield, no class at the back. Bring back Rafa now. from Ant H, Birmingham

Same old rubbish from Klopp. No natural striker, no leader in midfield, no class at the back. Bring back Rafa now.

Jurgen Klopp says fortune is not with Liverpool at the moment but they must carry on as they are playing.

Full quotes to come.

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Harry Kane is absolutely remarkable. The last two or three years he has been phenomenal. He doesn't score in August which is remarkable too!

It broke my heart when he scored against Scotland but he just looks like he is going to score in every game he plays.

Sergio Aguero is a terrific striker, Alvaro Morata is on fire, Romelu Lukaku has power and strength but at this moment in time I would go with Harry Kane.

He is a player's player. He works his socks off. Midfield players like him because he will chase lost causes and he will make an average ball look like a good one.

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Do Liverpool need a top striker?

lfcway: Can't blame defence for this. Created enough chances to win this game comfortably. Need to be more clinical.

Michal: 'Don't need a striker' 'Don't need a defender' 'Don't need a keeper' absolute banter LFC. So how are you Europa League?

Gordon: Sturridge needs to be sold. He's wasteful and selfish. Simply not Liverpool's standard

Yes, he is good enough to play with Real Madrid and Barcelona but I'm not sure he looks like their type of centre-forward.

Barcelona don't really play with an out and out centre-forward, they like to play down the channels and Real Madrid are similar.

Kane is like an old-fashioned centre-forward and is a wonderful talent. He certainly has the ability to play for those clubs but I don't think he's their kind of player.