Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has hit back at critics following his side’s 4-0 thrashing by Liverpool in the League Cup semi-finals, insisting he still believes in his injury-hit squad despite growing external pressure.
Spurs had taken a 1-0 advantage into the second leg at Anfield but failed to register a single shot on target as they crashed out of the competition.
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp lambasted the performance, saying he had “never seen a side go down with less of a fight.”
The humiliating defeat has intensified speculation over Postecoglou’s future, with Spurs struggling in 14th place in the Premier League.
The Australian had vowed earlier in the season to continue his record of winning silverware in his second year at a club, but Tottenham’s trophy drought—stretching back to 2008—remains unbroken.
“I get the pile-on at the moment, it’s easy for people to stick their boots in and question the players, but I don’t question them,” said Postecoglou. “We were disappointed last night didn’t go the way we wanted and we didn’t perform at the levels, but that doesn’t define this group of players in my eyes.”
Tottenham’s struggles have been compounded by a long injury list, with key players such as Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Dominic Solanke all unavailable against Liverpool. Richarlison also limped off during the match.
Postecoglou confirmed that none of those absentees will be fit for Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Aston Villa but hopes some will return for the Premier League fixture against Manchester United in nine days.
“Every time I’ve seen the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s usually been an oncoming train,” he joked. “We’re still hopeful we’ll get two or three back for the Manchester United game.”
Meanwhile, Aston Villa could hand debuts to new signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, who joined on loan from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, in the final days of the transfer window.
