Liverpool 4-2 Spurs | Ange’s verdict

Naturally disappointed with the result, Ange Postecoglou was pleased to see the players ‘try to play our football’ as we suffered a 4-2 loss against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool took a grip of the game once Mo Salah headed home the opener on 16 minutes. Andy Robertson doubled the advantage just before the break and it was 4-0 on the hour after Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott scored at the start of the second half.

The arrival of Richarlison, James Maddison and Oliver Skipp off the bench just after Liverpool’s fourth goal sparked a mini-revival as Richy turned home Brennan Johnson’s cross and Heung-Min Son fired home for 4-2 with 13 minutes plus added time remaining. Alisson saved well from Richarlison and Joe Gomes prevented Brennan heading home with a high-boot clearance that was checked for a penalty by VAR - 4-3 at that point would have been very interesting. We kept going until the end, but that was that for the scoring.

Speaking to us from Anfield, Ange reflected: “Disappointed, obviously, with the outcome, but today was more like ourselves. The lads tried to play our football and tried to be the team we want to be. That gives me something to work with. So, yes, a disappointing outcome, but at least we tried to play our football.

“I thought our football, in general, was good. Obviously, when you are losing 4-0, it’s bizarre to say it, but I thought we had a good foothold in the game, just in the front third, we really lacked any sort of real bite and conviction, and when that happens, that allows the opposition, allowed Liverpool, to get comfortable, whereas if we’d created a couple of good chances with our good general play, it may have put them under a bit more pressure. The flip side of that is that their front third was dangerous when they got into our box.

“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb, but, again, when we play like ourselves, we always finish strong, the players didn’t waiver in their belief and we got a couple of goals, could have had a couple more.”