Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham surrendered their first-leg lead in a heavy defeat to Liverpool
Jamie Redknapp said he had never before seen a team wilt and roll over quite like Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham following the side’s ‘horrendous’ Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.
After coming away from the first leg with a 1-0 lead, Postecoglou’s men were put to the sword at Anfield, with Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk all hitting the target.
It secured the Reds a 4-0 victory on the night – and a 4-1 win on aggregate from the two-legged tie – and Arne Slot’s men will do battle with Newcastle in this year’s final at Wembley on March 16.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, remain on course for a possible quadruple in Slot’s debut campaign as head coach, with the Merseyside giants also fighting it out for silverware in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Spurs’ painful 17-year wait for a major trophy goes on and the manner of the club’s latest setback – their 20th defeat in 45 games – will undoubtedly see further questions raised over Postecoglou’s future in north London.
‘From Liverpool’s perspective, it was fantastic. They way they got after Tottenham, they suffocated Tottenham, they set such a high tempo, never let them get out, never let them feel comfortable,’ ex-Liverpool and Spurs midfielder Redknapp said in the Sky Sports studio after the final whistle.
‘The manager got everything right, the tactics were perfect. And when you’ve got Salah up front, goals, assists every week… his numbers are just phenomenal. What a player.
‘From Tottenham’s perspective, I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight than they did today.
‘Not having one shot on target in a semi-final second leg, when you’re trying to do something, trying to change the course of your history. I feel sorry for those young players.
‘I think Djed Spence played 14 different positions tonight, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Redknapp was stunned by the manner of the defeat
‘These young players, you’re meant to protect them. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, they’re young men and they’re trying their best.
‘But I’d look at the experienced players to lead today and make sure they set the right tempo today. They didn’t do that one bit.
‘There have been some lows. Palace, Everton, Ipswich… but when you look at that scoreline, it’s just horrendous.’
Liverpool will do battle with Newcastle in this year’s final at Wembley
Former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson echoed Redknapp’s comments and admitted the toothless display was especially ‘damaging’ for an already under-fire Postecoglou.
‘Really, really damaging, that performance,’ Dawson said, with Spurs failing to register a single shot on target on Merseyside.
‘I knew it was going to be a tough task. Did I expect it be like that? No, I thought there would be more of a fight from those players.
‘First leg, you come here 1-0 up and it was going to be backs up against the wall.
‘They go behind in the first half and they didn’t show any character in possession, out of possession, desire to keep the ball out the back of the net.
‘To come here and get beaten 4-0 without fight, without a shot on target, it’s damaging.’
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