Mauricio Pochettino: 'I'm proud of the players, but disappointed with the result'

Published: 10 February, 2015
by DAN CARRIER

Premier League
LIVERPOOL 3, SPURS 2

SPURS saw their top-four ambitions seriously dented tonight (Tuesday) after coming out on the wrong end of a 3-2 loss to Liverpool.

They fought back twice but were ultimately undone by a late winner from substitute Mario Balotelli.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino picked an unchanged side from Saturday's euphoric win against Arsenal – and his confidence in his players meant that while they went toe to toe with their hosts, they lacked the energy for a final push to win three points that would have sent them into third. 

Speaking after the game, Pochettino said: "I'm sad because our effort was great. I'm proud of the players, but disappointed with the result.

"We deserved a point, minimum. It is unlucky for us. We need to accept it and move on."

Spurs were living dangerously in the opening 15, losing the ball through some sloppy passing in the middle and finding it hard to settle. Hugo Lloris was forced into a good save on 12 from a Daniel Sturridge effort, and it felt like an opener for the home side was coming.

Lazar Markovic did precisely that on 14 minutes after his team broke quickly and the usually reliable Lloris saw a weak shot take a bounce over his outstretched hand and nestle in the net. 

On 25, it was honours even. Harry Kane was played into space by Erik Lamela and the in-form forward beat Mignolet with a clinical finish.

With both sides having played in derbies at the weekend, it was no surprise there were uncharacteristic errors from weary legs. The ball was given away cheaply from both teams and there were plenty of scrambled chances and spaces to exploit. On 52, Danny Rose tripped Daniel Sturridge in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Despite Lloris getting a hand to it, Steven Gerrard's shot had too much power and Spurs found themselves behind again. 

But Pochettino's team were not finished.

On 60, an Eriksen free-kick forced Mignolet into a sprawling save. Kane reacted quickest and his cross was shoved over the line by Mousa Dembele to make it 2-2.

Then, as it looked like they may have earned a creditable draw, disaster struck: with just eight minutes to go, substitute Balotelli found himself in space on the six-yard box and he guided a cross home. 

This time there was to be no reply – and now Spurs have a 10-day break to recover and prepare for the visit of Fiorentina in the Europe League at the Lane.

SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose, Mason, (Paulinho, 68), Bentaleb, Lamela, Eriksen (Chadli, 80), Dembele (Soldado, 83), Kane.
Subs: Vorm, Paulinho, Fazio, Soldado, Chadli, Townsend, Davies.