Video: Liverpool legend claims Spurs pair are past their best

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has criticised two of Tottenham Hotspur’s senior players.

Nicol has accused Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen of being past their defence following Tottenham’s defensive issues this season.

Alderweireld signed a new contract last month to commit his future to the Champions League finalists until 2023 while Vertonghen’s current deal will run out at the end of the current campaign.

Nichol also questioned the ability of Serge Aurier and Davinson Sanchez by suggesting that Aurier’s strengths lie in going forward while also claiming that Sanchez has issues with his positioning.

The ESPN pundit also warned that Spurs can forget about qualifying for the Champions League if the current defence is not addressed.

“The strangest thing under Mourinho for me is that Tottenham have been a lot sharper since Pochettino left,” Nicol told ESPN.

“And looked a lot better going forward, which is not what you associate with Jose Mourinho sides.

“This Tottenham side at the back are all over the place. Completely changed his backline in the second half [against Norwich] and it still didn’t matter. And unless he sorts that out, you can forget about the top four.

“Although Alderweireld has signed a new contract, I think he is past his best. I certainly believe that Vertonghen is past his best. His contract is running out. Now, if you look at what else they have, you have a right-back in Aurier who is better going forward and another defender in Sanchez, who yes has pace, but I think positionally, he is all over the place.”