Ange Postecoglou’s 18-month tenure at Tottenham Hotspur has been marked by an uncompromising commitment to free-flowing football.
When the team clicks, Spurs produce impressive results, having beaten Manchester City and Manchester United twice this season. However, a recent Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield exposed a different side as Tottenham fell to a 4-0 defeat.
Initially, Spurs clung to a 1-0 lead from the first leg and even enjoyed a moment of hope after Cody Gakpo’s half-volley on 34 minutes. Yet, the tide turned when Antonin Kinsky fouled Darwin Nunez. Mohamed Salah converted the ensuing penalty five minutes into the second half, and Liverpool steadily took control. Consequently, Tottenham’s lack of urgency became painfully clear.
Moreover, the visitors were missing several key players. Record signing Dominic Solanke, first-choice centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison, and full-back Destiny Udogie were all absent. In contrast, Liverpool fielded a strong lineup, and their midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai continued to press forward even in stoppage time, ensuring the aggregate scoreline remained unchallenged.
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Furthermore, Tottenham’s approach in possession was abysmal. Liverpool forced Spurs into backward passes that ultimately reached goalkeeper Kinsky. This sequence allowed Darwin Nunez to surge forward, and Virgil van Dijk won an aerial duel against Richarlison. As a result, Liverpool dominated, while Spurs struggled to string together meaningful passes in central areas.
In addition, Kevin Danso, making his debut after arriving on loan from Lens with an obligation to buy, attempted to initiate attacks by linking up with Yves Bissouma, Pape Matar Sarr, and Rodrigo Bentancur. Unfortunately, his efforts quickly dissolved as he found himself sprinting back to help defend. Bissouma’s misplaced pass to Sarr directly led to Gakpo’s leveller, reflecting the overall lethargy of the performance.
Problems in the Midfield
Tottenham’s midfield also failed to relieve pressure. Bissouma and Sarr were substituted just 10 minutes into the second half, leaving the side 2-1 down on aggregate. With both players struggling for fitness, the lack of options forced the team to continue in a struggling manner. Notably, the entire squad failed to register a single shot on target, finishing with an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.18.
Postecoglou admitted in the post-match press conference that the performance fell far short of expectations. He said, “We set the team up and our intent was to go out and play the same way we play every week. We were trying to put pressure on them, but it never materialised.” His words implied that either a deviation from his usual approach or the players’ inability to execute his tactics contributed to the poor result.
Finally, the atmosphere as the final four players—Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Djed Spence, and Mathys Tel—left the pitch was somber. While Gray and Bergvall, once bright-eyed signings, now appear as weary veterans, Spence and Tel embody both the challenges and potential for the future. With Tel set to start against Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round, the question remains: will these youngsters rise to the occasion and help Spurs bounce back from this dismal performance?
