Harry Kane will not feature when Tottenham host Liverpool

No matter which way you cut it, Harry Kane will not feature when Tottenham host Liverpool in the Premier League on Jan. 11.

Unfortunately we’ve been down this road before. Kane getting injured is something we’ve become accustomed to. At least the injury this time didn’t occur to one of his vulnerable ankles. Instead, upon reaching for a free kick delivery, Kane strained his hamstring in the loss to Southampton.

While the injury doesn’t appear to be serious, there is no way he’ll be back in time for the Liverpool match in nine days. Even if Kane’s hamstring repairs itself in time, Jose Mourinho would be insane to risk his talisman. Spurs aren’t expected to beat Liverpool and, quite frankly, Mourinho’s men have bigger fish to fry.

Securing a top four spot isn’t going to come down to the Liverpool match. Nobody has beaten the Reds, and Spurs will be thankful to take a point from the Jurgen Klopp’s seemingly invincible side. Kane’s services are required for both the Premier League run in and the Champions League Round-of-16 match with RB Leipzig on Feb. 19 and March 10.

Tottenham will err on the side of caution, ensuring Kane comes back only when he’s 100 per cent ready. For an injury of this nature, which looks to be a strain and not a tear, you’d expect Kane to miss between two and four weeks. Expect Kane to make his return to the lineup no earlier than when Spurs host Norwich on Jan. 22. He might come off the bench in that one to get a bit of playing time before Spurs host Manchester City on Feb. 2.

A full month away from the game will do Kane some good, especially after playing four matches in just 11 days over the festive period.

The Premier League asks of its players too much over the Christmas period, and is responsible for all the injuries that occur during the frenetic stretch. While it’s a great time of years for supporters, the Premier League must provide their prized assets with some time to rest.