Did Tottenham throw it Away against Liverpool?

Former Hotspurs Manager Cites Shameful Conduct at Anfield Tunnel!

On Sunday, 30 March 2014 Tottenham Hotspur went head-to-head against Liverpool at Anfield. The result was an ominous sign for teams looking to displace Liverpool from their perch at the top of the Premier League table. The 4 – 0 thrashing was not what Tottenham Hotspur fans expected, but Liverpool dished it out with ferocious intensity. The first goal came within 2 minutes, courtesy of  an own goal by Kaboul, followed in the 25th minute by a second goal by Suarez, a third goal in the 55th minute by Coutinho and a final goal in the 75th minute by Henderson. And what pray tell was Tottenham Hotspur’s answer to Liverpool’s blitz – nothing. Football aficionados are quick to point out that it’s not so much Tottenham Hotspur’s failures as much is it is Liverpool’s meteoric ascendancy back into contention. That the reds have won 8 games on the trot is a big pat on the back to their outfit.

It’s all about Attitude says Glenn Hoddle

The former manager of Tottenham Hotspur – Glenn Hoddle – lamented the team’s attitude prior to their 4-0 defeat at Anfield. In his opinion, Tottenham was already beaten before they took to the field. This may well prove true given that the first goal scored by Liverpool was in fact an own goal by Tottenham’s Younes Kaboul. When asked to substantiate why he believed that the team displayed a poor attitude in the Anfield Tunnel, he cited Vertonghen leaning against the wall. Hoddle was none too impressed by the mindless chatter that he believed the team members were engaged in prior to the match. That the first time goal was scored within 100 seconds was a demoralizing opening to a crunch match. It is true that there was a great deal of urgency among Tottenham defenders, but that pales in comparison to the steely resolve displayed by Liverpool.

Whether it can be viewed as point of contention or not is secondary to the fact that Tim Sherwood preferred to sit in the stands among supporters, rather than in the dugout. In his defence, he argued that he was able to analyse the match far better than had he been standing alongside the pitch. Some fans are of the opinion that he was in fact trying to shirk responsibility, but it’s all water under the bridge now. Of more importance to Tottenham Hotspur is the fact that they have now lost 7 of the last 8 matches against the top 4 Premier League teams. In total, they have conceded some 27 goals to date, with little hope for finishing strongly in this year’s PL.

In his post-match interview, Sherwood lamented the fact that they went 2-0 down in the first half – especially against a side like Liverpool. He went on to say that Liverpool got away and it was near impossible to catch them especially with the home crowd at Anfield supporting them. When quizzed about who he believes will win the Premier League this season, Sherwood feels confident that Manchester City has what it takes to win it. It’s anyone’s guess who might replace Sherwood after a string of disastrous performances this season. Perhaps it will be Louis van Gaal from the Netherlands, but Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy is still mum on the vacancy. It may well be a coin toss to predict who is likely to win the Premier League this season, but football players at the highest level agree that Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea are definitely in with a big chance.