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da betano casino： Paul Merson has claimed that he is “worried” for Tottenham Hotspur after their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, per Sky Sports.
What’s he said?
Mauricio Pochettino’s men took a 1-0 lead against the Reds at Anfield but were ultimately outclassed by Jurgen Klopp’s side, registering just 32% possession and having 11 shots on goal compared to the hosts’ 21.
And Merson believes that Spurs could have been humiliated, even with Son Heung-Min hitting the bar with the score at 1-0.
Indeed, goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga made a total of 12 saves throughout the encounter.
The former Arsenal midfielder said: “I’d be so worried if I was Tottenham and I know they only got beaten 2-1, but what score could it have been?
“I know they had their chances and if Heung-Min Son goes round the goalkeeper and doesn’t hit the bar, it’s 2-0 and then it’s a different game but the best player on the pitch was the goalkeeper.
“That can’t be right if you’re a Tottenham fan. It could have been seven or eight and I’m not saying that because I played for Arsenal; it’s what I saw.
“The week before, they went 1-0 down against Watford early doors and you think ‘that’s alright, they’ll come back and win this game,’ but that didn’t materialise and that’s the problem. I worry for Tottenham at the moment because something is not right and their result against Liverpool covered over the cracks.
“It was a Polyfilla performance, but people will think it wasn’t a bad result, and if Spurs didn’t hit the bar, it would have been 2-0 and a different game. Yes, it would’ve been, but how many chances did Liverpool have before it was 2-0? That’s what you’ve got to ask yourself.”
Too passive
Spurs could have taken this game by the scruff of the neck.
As soon as they took their 1-0 lead, there was an opportunity to up the intensity and attempt to pin Liverpool into their own half and look to land a knockout blow.
Instead, they retreated into their shell, sticking instead of twisting and allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino to pepper Gazzaniga’s goal with shots.
But this is becoming a habit and, really, Merson is absolutely right.
When Spurs drew 2-2 with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, they had just three shots on goal compared to the 30 of the Premier League champions.
Versus Arsenal, another 2-2 draw, Spurs had 13 shots to the Gunners’ 26.
In those two outings, Tottenham got away with it; against Liverpool, their luck ran out and one has to wonder whether or not they will continue to be bitten by their lack of positivity.