Ange Postecoglu makes Anfield 'mentality' claim after Liverpool's victory over Tottenham

Ange Postecoglou baulked at the suggestion that Tottenham Hotspur have a mentality problem - and believes the way his side tried to play at Anfield underlined that.

Spurs’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered another hit as they fell to a 4-2 loss against Liverpool. The Reds were dominant for the opening hour and raced into a four-goal lead through efforts from Mo Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott. Tottenham did muster somewhat of a rally with Richarlison and Son Heung-min netting but they ultimately proved nothing but consolation goals.

Spurs had a chance to close the gap on fourth-placed Aston Villa after their 1-0 defeat by Brighton earlier in the day. But instead, the north London outfit fell to a fourth successive reverse. Last weekend, they were beaten 3-2 by arch-rivals Arsenal, having been three behind at the interval. Tottenham were also thrashed 4-0 by Newcastle two weeks ago and lost 2-0 to Chelsea prior to being put to the sword by Liverpool.

However, Postecoglou defended his Spurs players and how they tried to play with bravery against the Reds. The Spurs boss said: “I don't think we were playing badly, I know we were losing 4-0 and against Arsenal I don't think we were playing badly, the difference was in the two boxes we kind of lacked a cutting edge and the opposition were good opposition.

“Like I said, it's got to nothing to do. Mentality if you come to Anfield and don't try and play, maybe that shows you don't have the mentality. We tried to play, we definitely tried to play, so I don't think it's a mentality issue at all. In fact, I think it's the polar opposite of that. The mentality at least tonight was there for us to go out and try and be a version of ourselves. We're short absolutely but it gives me something to work with.”

Giving his assessment on the game, Postecoglou said: “Obviously a hugely disappointing outcome for us but at least we were more like ourselves today in terms of our football. Our last two away games at Newcastle and Chelsea, apart from the results which weren't great either, we just didn't try and play our football. I thought today, even in the first half, some of our football, our pressing was back to where it should be. We lacked a real sort cutting edge for sure. We had nothing in that front third and that allowed Liverpool to get comfortable.

“The flip side of that was when they got forward and into the front third their guys were quite lethal on pouncing on our mistakes. At 4-0 we've got a mountain to climb but again when we play like ourselves we always finish strong because we put pressure on the opposition and it eventually takes its toll. We got a couple of goals and we maybe could have had a couple more. It's disappointing but at least we tried to play and looked like a version of ourselves which gives me something to work with.”