Liverpool 2-1 Spurs - Mauricio's reaction

It may well have ended in a harsh late defeat, but our performance against Liverpool on Sunday left Mauricio Pochettino feeling positive for the season’s final sprint.

We recovered well from Liverpool’s early goal to control long periods of the game at Anfield and find an equaliser through Lucas Moura with 20 minutes remaining.

At 1-1, victory felt within our grasp - and the big chance arrived on 85 minutes. Harry Kane’s pass to Heung-Min Son set us away on a two-versus-one break from a Liverpool corner. Son played in to Moussa Sissoko who carried to the edge of the box, Virgil van Dijk shut off the pass option so Moussa let fly – a yard over. Dele also curled just wide and another counter-attack came to nothing.

Disaster struck in the 90th minute. Mohamed Salah guided Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at goal, Hugo Lloris parried but the ball cannoned back off Toby Alderweireld and crept home in front of the Kop.

Mauricio described the performance as ‘fantastic’ against a Liverpool side who remain unbeaten at home and have lost just once in the Premier League. This win took them back to the top of the table.

“We reacted well, dominated in the second half and played much better, created chances and should have won the game,” said Mauricio. “We’re disappointed, very disappointed, but we keep going. In football, you cannot think too much about things you cannot change.

“Now we have a mini-league, seven games ahead and it’s in our hands to finish in the top four. We also have the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the new stadium on Wednesday. That’s going to be a big boost for us.

“Of course we’re disappointed because of the result but it’s not like when you lose at Burnley or Southampton and you are worried. Now, after that defeat, I’m disappointed, yes, not happy, but the performance was good.

“Sometimes you need to accept that football is cruel, but never give up because we are in a good position and this performance makes me feel very optimistic.”