Tottenham star Hugo Lloris fires Man Utd and Liverpool warning after Frankfurt victory | Football | Sport

Hugo Lloris says Tottenham players are targeting the start of the World Cup as a chance to lay down their intentions for the rest of the season. The 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night means that victory at home to Sporting Lisbon on October 26 will guarantee them a place in the Champions League knockout stages with a game to spare.

And with key games against Manchester United and Liverpool among their fixtures before the action kicks off in Qatar, Lloris says the plan is to create a buzz around White Hart Lane which will carry on through to the second half of the season.

“I would say it doesn’t matter the way we do it, you just want to get the points and to be in a good position before the World Cup,” he said.

“In the Premier League and every competition in which we’re involved.

“We know that to arrive at this level we need to perform well. We’re capable of performing well but we’re still looking for improvement.

“But let’s say that being in a good position before the World Cup will give the right feeling in the second half of the season, which will be the most important thing.”

Spurs made heavy weather of seeing off Eintracht Frankfurt after leading 3-1 at half-time and seeing the Germans reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

Frankfurt pulled one back and then Harry Kane missed a penalty as Antonio Conte’s men scrambled over the line.

“If we look at the performance there were too many ups and downs,” Lloris said. “I believe we should be more able to control the game in the second half, with the score 3-1 and 11 against 10.

“Maybe we thought the game was over.

“But at this level in the Champions League, especially when you’re used to playing in the Premier League, there is no easy game.