Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino: 'We conceded the first through a mistake, then created a couple of chances, and then lost a soft penalty. That made it very hard for us'

Published: 31 August, 2014 
by DAN CARRIER at White Hart Lane 

Premier League 
SPURS 0, LIVERPOOL 3 

TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino called for patience after his 100 per cent record at the helm was blown to pieces by Liverpool this afternoon (Sunday). 

The Spurs boss said Liverpool were a team who have had the benefit of two solid seasons of progress, and that he was happy with how his players were learning what he expected of them.  

"Liverpool played very well last season. They have been building a team for two years, but that isn't an excuse for the defeat today," Pochettino said after the game. 

What the Argentine did feel was to blame for turning the game into a stroll for the visitors, however, was "a soft penalty at a key moment". 

He said: "We are disappointed. We conceded the first through a mistake, then created a couple of chances, and then lost a soft penalty. That made it very hard for us."

"We are a team that will improve," Pochettino added. "I am happy so far." 

While Liverpool didn't enjoy quite the dominance seen in the 5-0 win at White Hart Lane last season, the game was all but over after just 49 minutes this time around when Steven Gerrard scored from what was a dubious penalty to give them a two-goal cushion. 

Eric Dier was adjudged to have pulled back Joe Allen in the box, and although the contact was minimal, Allen will feel he was within his rights to make the most of it. 

Liverpool had opened the scoring through a Raheem Sterling tap-in on eight minutes. It was a soft goal, coming from the loss of possession through a hasty clearance by Hugo Lloris. 

Such carelessness on the ball became a regular occurrence for the home side as they were frequently hustled into mistakes and forced backwards. 

Spurs' best chance came on 41 after a spell of pressure resulted in Emmanuel Adebayor knocking the ball down to Nacer Chadli, whose volley was pushed over the bar by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. 

Any potential route back was closed on the hour mark when Alberto Moreno nicked the ball off substitute Andros Townsend. The defender ran half the length of the field and drilled a low shot past Lloris. 

After the game Pochettino would not be drawn on any new signings, and refused to shed any further light on the futures of Sandro and Roberto Soldado. Billionaire owner Joe Lewis was in the stands – and perhaps his presence on such a disappointing afternoon will prompt a transfer deadline day flurry to strengthen the squad. 

SPURS: Lloris, Rose (Davies, 71), Kaboul, Vertonghen, Dier, Lamela, Chadli, Eriksen (Townsend, 58), Capoue, Bentaleb (Dembele, 58), Adebayor. 
Subs not used: Friedel, Chiriches, Holtby, Kane, Davies. 
Attendance: 36,130 

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

We learned five key points in today's game: 

1. For a fluid, attacking, front four you need two solid defensive midfielders who can provide a base – but also pick out a forward pass. Etienne Capoue looked tired and was unable to hustle, while his passing was either too safe, or too lazy. Time and again he looped balls behind the wingers, who then had to track back to collect it and lost momentum. Nabil Bentaleb, while neat, also did not impose himself. Pochettino has till 11pm Monday to decide if he has the midfield generals in his squad to make this system work. 

2. Adebayor is good at battling for the ball, at least on the days he is interested, but is he clinical enough to lead the line? He fluffed his one chance at a crucial moment in the game and lingered too long at other points when a shot could have been fired off. 

3. Mario Balotelli slotted into his new team well – and made Spurs fans wish some cash was splashed on a forward to provide a similar presence. Spurs still lack that striker whose reputation can really scare defenders. 

4. Younes Kaboul looks rusty, and his passing was noticeably poor. Newcomer Federico Fazio will surely be paired with Jan Vertonghen after the international break. 

5. On a disappointing day, Eric Dier was a silver lining. He worked hard, looked good on the ball, and was scared of nothing. And he'll learn from the penalty given against him.