‘We were better than Liverpool’ – Pochettino pleased with performance and season

Tottenham Hotspur made it four losses from the last five games as they travelled to Anfield last night, but the 2-1 result did not paint the full picture of the match.

Liverpool started strong and scored early in the tie, controlling the majority of the first half against a sloppy and lacking Spurs side.

However, with a change of shape in the second 45, Spurs looked a different team and utterly dominated Liverpool.

Lucas Moura equalised after a well-worked move involving Kane, Trippier, and Eriksen, before Tottenham went on to knock on the door of a winner.

Moussa Sissoko had the golden chance to win the game for Spurs, as he and Son raced clear on the break.

Van Dijk made the pass to Son impossible, forcing Sissoko to go it alone, and the defensive midfielder smashed his shot over the bar.

Liverpool later grabbed a winner after a catastrophic couple of mistakes from Spurs captain Hugo Lloris.

However, Pochettino was adamant that his side were the better team, and he is happy with the performance, and the fact they have a chance to finish in the top four still.

He said (Football London): “In the last ten minutes I only saw a few minutes because I went downstairs and saw on the TV. My reaction is that it’s football. You should win the game but if you don’t score and after you concede what are you going to do? Nothing.

“The most important thing is to recover our feelings. In the second half I thought we dominated and played much better than Liverpool. Overall I think we were better than Liverpool. Disappointed, very disappointed but at the same time it’s difficult to explain but I am proud of the performance, proud of the recovery of that feeling we lost against Southampton and Burnley.

“I think we were talking a lot and we were talking now in the dressing room that we are in the top four, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. I think we have ahead seven games in the Premier League. We need to forget everything and be focused that we have ahead a mini-league that starts on Wednesday in our new stadium and that must be a big boost for everyone. It’s in our hands to be in the top four for next season.

“Then it’s not to justify the defeat or put an excuse. It’s only with all the circumstances arrive with seven games to play in the Premier League in that position fighting with teams like Manchester City and Liverpool or Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United and being there in the middle. I think the players deserve massive credit with all the circumstances again.

“Yes, disappointed of course, so disappointed after Southampton, critical but today I cannot say anything. I think we bounced back. The second half was the way we want to play and that feeling that you need if you want to be a real contender. I am so happy in this side but on another side I am so disappointed because you want to win. You don’t want to lose and because I think we deserve a little bit more. But playing in that way for sure you are going to in the end be rewarded for the football.”

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