Five key player battles for Liverpool v Spurs in Champions League final

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots under pressure from Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 31: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur shoots under pressure from Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Liverpool Spurs Champions League Final
Liverpool v Spurs Champions League Final: Harry Kane  shoots under duress from Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC & Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on March 31st 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill for Getty Images) /

No.1 – Virgil van Dijk v Harry Kane

A few weeks ago it looked like Harry Kane’s season was over. Now it appears he will play one more game. The ankle injury he picked up against Man City in the quarter-final will not keep him out and the player and manager will take the risk, even if it’s not 100% healed.

I’ve been tracking the news of his injury but not sure what I want. Harry Kane has largely been ineffective against Virgil van Dijk. He has one goal – a penalty – in their matchups since the Dutchman moved to Anfield.

Kane also struggled against him when the defender was at Southampton. He scored two goals in six games which included some thrashings for the Saints.

I suspect that Spurs would be just as effective – perhaps even more – against our back four if Kane was unable to start and we had to face the movement of Lucas Moura and Son Heung-Min.

A semi-fit Kane starting against Virgil is actually the perfect scenario. The Englishman could score from a penalty or perhaps a set piece but he will not get the better of the defender in open play. I fully expect the ‘they should bring Kane on’ jokes to start early in the second half.