MICHAEL DAWSON has warned Liverpool striker Fernando Torres that Tottenham are not in the mood to end their run of five consecutive clean sheets when they face their rivals for a Champions League place this weekend.

Spurs did not concede a goal over the Christmas period and start 2010 in the top four of the Premier League, with a four-point lead on Liverpool that could be extended to seven with victory at Anfield on Sunday.

“I was scoring goals a few weeks ago but I said clean sheets were the most important thing,” Dawson said. “Since then we’ve kept five and that’s fantastic from my point of view and the team’s point of view.

“Hopefully we can keep this run going. We’re four points clear of Liverpool at the moment and hopefully we’ll make it seven by Sunday. We’re striving for the top four, Liverpool as well.

“They had a great result at Aston Villa then drew with Reading, and it’s always tough going to Anfield. The lads are full of confidence and playing well and hopefully we can take that into Sunday. Hopefully we’ll get a nice win and go seven points clear of them.”

Dawson is well aware of the threat Spain striker Torres poses. Since arriving at Liverpool, the 25-year-old has scored three times against Spurs.

“Whenever I play against Torres he’s a top class player, you saw that against Villa when he scored in the last minute,” Dawson added. “We’ll have to be at our best on Sunday but let’s hope we can make it six clean sheets in a row.

“When we beat them at the start of the season it was a fantastic performance by the lads and got us off to a great start to the campaign, so we believe we can do it at Anfield.

“I can’t wait. It’s a massive game.”