Friday 1 April 2016 18:55, UK
Spurs' title hopes could depend on their results against Liverpool and Man Utd - but Dele Alli can help them to victory, says Jamie Redknapp...
Dele Alli's brilliant performance in England's win against Germany was just the latest step in his amazing rise. Now, he's got to deliver in a key double-header for Tottenham.
Spurs travel to Liverpool on Saturday Night Football and then host Manchester United on Super Sunday on April 10 - both games live on Sky Sports - and these fixtures will determine their season.
They have no distractions now. Their entire focus is on the Premier League. And if they can take six points from these next two games, I can see them winning the title.
If they do go on to lift the trophy, Alli will have been a key factor - and what an achievement that would be for a 19-year-old midfielder who was playing in League One this time last year.
I remember the first time I really took notice of Alli - it was when MK Dons thrashed Manchester United in the Capital One Cup in August 2014. Immediately I thought, 'he can play', but what really stood out was his tackling. There was one old-school, unbelievable challenge. It was remarkable to see someone so young playing like that against Manchester United.
He went to Tottenham and has become this powerhouse of a midfield player. He has so much belief and confidence and a great arrogance on the ball - and I mean that in a good way. It's not something you can teach and only a few players have it, but that ability to want the ball anywhere on the pitch - even against the world champions in Germany - is special.
Roy Hodgson has to put Dele Alli in the number 10 role for England at Euro 2016 and fit the rest of the players around him.
There doesn't seem to be a real weaknesses in his play but I really like him in that number 10 role, where you can see a lot more of his game. Mauricio Pochettino deserves credit for trusting him in that position - and it's where I want to see him play at Euro 2016 for England.
Too often with the national team we play people out of position - think about Paul Scholes or Steven Gerrard being deployed out on the left wing. It drives me mad. We'll get the best out of Alli if we play him where he plays for Spurs.
Hodgson has to put Alli in the number 10 role and fit the rest of the players around him. He's not your typical number 10 - he runs beyond the striker and tackles hard - but we need to embrace his talent.
I'm sure Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will have plans to stop him and it should be a fascinating game on Saturday night across the pitch.
Tottenham haven't had the best of records at Anfield and, despite facing Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League on Thursday night, I expect Liverpool to field their strongest team and go all out for the win.
If we're still counting Arsenal in the title race - who are 11 points off Leicester with a game in hand - then we have to still consider Liverpool for a top-four finish, even if they have it all to do being seven points adrift with a game in hand.
And that's why I can't see them resting players for Dortmund. Liverpool have to keep going for that Champions League spot as long as it's still possible.
This will be a high-pressure, high-tempo game from both sides. I don't see Spurs losing it and I think it will end up a draw; I've got a feeling we're in for a high-scoring, exciting match.
Watch Liverpool v Tottenham live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5pm on Saturday. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV.
