Fernando Llorente has called on “everyone to wake up” ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Ajax.
Spurs suffered the first ever defeat at their new stadium to London rivals West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side failed to create enough meaningful chances to win the game, leading to concerns about Tuesday’s meeting with Ajax – particularly with Son Heung-min set to miss out through suspension.
Llorente is likely to start up front in Son’s absence. The Spaniard came off the bench against West Ham but was unable to help Tottenham find a way through.
And Llorente has suggested losing to the Hammers may have been a good thing in terms of provoking an improvement against Ajax.
“Maybe it’s better, no?” the striker said (via the London Evening Standard).
“It’s right, we need everyone to wake up because if we play like this on Tuesday we will lose, easy.”
Vincent Janssen looked more lively than Llorente in another short cameo against West Ham, but Llorente is likely to get the nod on Tuesday having gained Pochettino’s trust over the course of the season.
Lucas Moura and Dele Alli will also look to offer a goal threat with no Son or Harry Kane to find the net.
If anyone needs to wake up it is Llorente!