Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker thinks that Liverpool would have triumphed over Spurs on Sunday regardless of the tactics employed by Ange Postecoglou in their 6-3 defeat, simply because they are a far better team.
The Lilywhites were left humiliated at home by Arne Slot's Reds, with Postecoglou's side trailing 5-1 just an hour into the game. Despite a late rally from Spurs, reducing the deficit to 5-3 after goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke in the final 20 minutes, it was not enough.
Luis Diaz then netted his second goal of the match to seal a thrilling victory for league leaders Liverpool. Postecoglou has faced severe criticism for his tactical approach in some of Spurs' most significant losses this season, despite grappling with numerous injuries, particularly in defence.
Related articles
However, Lineker believes that regardless of the line-up or system used by their Australian manager, Spurs would have struggled against Slot's team. In a thrilling clash, James Maddison managed to notch one back for Spurs in the first half, narrowing Liverpool's earlier 2-0 lead given to them thanks to goals from Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister within the first 35 minutes.
Hopes were briefly raised for a Tottenham revival until Dominik Szoboszlai pierced their defence in a swift counter, slipping the ball through Fraser Forster's legs as Spurs were left exposed once again having naively pressed too high upfield just before the break.
Spurs' game management has often been scrutinised, as maintaining a narrow 2-1 deficit at half time might have offered them a vital chance to regroup before the second period. Instead, trailing 3-1 seemed too steep a hill for Tottenham to climb against an in-form Liverpool.
Lineker, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, was forthright about Tottenham's fate against the Reds. "When those two teams lined up today, you thought, well, however Tottenham shape up they're going to get beaten by that [Liverpool] side, particularly if they're playing that well," he said, via Football London.
The former England forward did acknowledge Spurs' high-flying approach under Postecoglou, which has made them the top scorers in the Premier League this season with 39 goals. Despite Tottenham's current 11th place standing, he knows how fans are drawn to the exhilarating football on display.
Many supporters, instead, point fingers at Daniel Levy and the board for their league position as they have not fully supported the manager in the transfer market, resulting in a squad that lacks the depth to compete at the top, leading to visible protests against Levy last Sunday.
"It's Tottenham. I mean, they're gung ho, we know that," Lineker said. "And he [Postecoglou] doesn't change things just because he's got a few injuries and played boring football. I mean, every time Tottenham play, I think, and some of the fans will disagree with me, and that's absolutely fine because we know it's a results business. But you must look forward to going to see the games and not knowing quite what to expect."
Meanwhile, his podcast colleague Alan Shearer suggested that player naivety and recklessness contributed to Spurs' downfall against Liverpool, especially right before half-time, leaving them exposed and allowing the Reds to all but seal the game. "Sometimes, as a player or a team, you have to take responsibility without your manager, without whatever way he wants to play," Shearer said.
"You know, they get to 2-1 today and a minute before halftime, it's still gung ho. You just say, 'okay, we've actually taken a beating in that first half. If we can get to 2-1, we've probably been extremely lucky'. So once you get that goal, you say, 'okay, two minutes to half time, let's just see'.
"But yet, they still commit so many men forward and then get hit on the break. And once Liverpool get that third one, just before the break, you're thinking, done. I thought that minute cost them the game. And then they were never going to come back from that."
Tottenham next face a tricky looking trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
