Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sends warning to Tottenham over Harry Kane: 'It will be a big challenge to keep hold of him now'

• e-mail

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Harry Kane's rise to become one of the best strikers in the world presents Tottenham with a challenge in the next couple of years.

The 24-year-old England captain has scored 15 goals in 15 appearances for club and country this season to maintain his rich vein of form which has seen him score 81 goals in 102 Premier League matches in the previous three years, leading to links with the likes of Real Madrid.

Klopp, who experienced a similar problem in the summer when Barcelona tried to sign playmaker Philippe Coutinho, had a word of warning for Spurs.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said it will be difficult for Tottenham to keep hold of Harry Kane

'It will be a big challenge for them in the next few years because Harry is not only one of the best strikers in Europe he is one of the best strikers in the world, 100 per cent,' he said.

Last weekend Klopp succeeded in keeping quiet an in-form Romelu Lukaku, who had scored in seven successive Premier League matches before the goalless draw at Anfield.

The job was made easier by United's tactics and the Belgian striker's reluctance to engage when out of possession but the Reds boss said Kane is a different prospect.

'I don't have to judge these two. They are both fantastic strikers,' he added.

'The difference is that Harry is much more a part of the game when he is not scoring - but I am pretty sure Lukaku can make these steps too.

Kane has been in fine goalscoring form for club and country this season with 15 in 15 matches

'We avoided the balls to Lukaku and that must be a key for Harry as well but if we are too concentrated on one player then Dele Alli is everywhere or Eriksen shoots from everywhere with decisive passes.

'It is a good team so you cannot be concentrated on one player.'

Klopp will go to Wembley on Sunday without one his most potent attacking threats as Sadio Mane continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in the last international break.

And Klopp has warned them after labelling the 24-year-old one of the best strikers in the world

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has named the pacy forward in his squad for their World Cup qualifiers against South Africa on November 10 and 14, claiming there is 'no doubt' the player would be 100 per cent fit.

Klopp played down those expectations, however, as the initial assessment from the club's medical staff was up to six weeks - which would take Mane beyond those dates.

'I don't know how he can know. I don't know,' said Klopp.

'Sadio is still in rehab indoors, he is not doing any exercises outside.

'If he is fit earlier I would be really happy but no-one knows in this moment.

'They have very important games - I think they need one point from two games to be qualified - so they feel the pressure a little bit but we cannot change the situation.

'If Sadio is fit we cannot hide it, why should we do it? If he is fit we can do nothing to keep him here and he will go to Senegal but at this moment I don't know.'