Spurs keeper’s loving life in the Premier League after Arsenal triumph

By Ben Pearce, Tottenham correspondent Tuesday, March 5, 2013
10:22 AM

Hugo Lloris says life in the Premier League is living up to all of his hopes and expectations as he reflects on the north London derby and looks ahead to Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

Lloris was one of the stars of the weekend’s 2-1 derby victory over Arsenal, and he savoured every moment of the occasion and the atmosphere.

“The level of these games are very high and of course I enjoy being in the Premier League,” he said. “When you play against the small teams it’s the same. It’s a fight every weekend and these days you cannot start a game and think it will be easy. Every game is a fight and you have to make the difference in every game.

“It was my first derby at home and it was a great game, an important game for the end of the season, and we put in a great performance.

“We felt the importance of the game on the pitch. The atmosphere was fantastic when we scored the first and second goals. The stadium was on fire and it was the same when the referee whistled for the end of the game.

“All the players put in a great performance but maybe the difference [between the teams] was the defensive work, and it’s good for the rest of the season.

“I think it’s important for our confidence to keep our supporters with us and we need them for the other important games. We are in a good situation but we have to continue.

“The season is not finished, there are still 10 more games so we have to keep our concentration, to be focused on the end of the season and the other great games that are ahead - but of course it’s better to be in this position than Arsenal’s.

“The most important thing is to be in the Champions League next season and I think we have to keep our ambition.”

Lloris is likely to be on the bench for Thursday’s mouth-watering European clash with Inter Milan, but the France captain is eagerly anticipating Sunday’s trip to Anfield.

“Liverpool are playing maybe the best football in the Premier League at this moment -

they proved that in the last game against Wigan so it will be a very difficult game, but a very exciting game at Anfield,” he said.

“I have played there before with Lyon in the Champions League [in October 2009]. We won 2-1 and it was a great memory, a great moment with my old team but it will be another great game next Sunday.

“Of course we also have the Europa League. We can do something in the competition and win a trophy for the club – why not? It would be a great thing for this season but also for the future.”

Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs