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Glenn Hoddle explained last night that he was surprised Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho decided to play with five at the back.

Spurs were beaten 3-1 at home by Liverpool in Thursday night’s Premier League showdown.

Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out winners courtesy of goals from Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane.

Hoddle admitted that he was shocked with the way Mourinho approached the league fixture.

The Portuguese manager opted to play three centre-backs in Joe Rodon, Eric Dier and Ben Davies, while Serge Aurier and Matt Doherty played in the full-back positions.

Hoddle suggested that left Spurs struggling in the centre of the park.

“I think he’ll be bitterly disappointed, I really do. I think first-half there was a glimmer on the counter, but I’m surprised he played a back five tonight,” he said on BT Sport’s commentary of the game (9:54pm, 28 January).

“I think starting off with a four and being able to put some pressure on this very good Liverpool midfield, they needed to get in their faces a little bit and put them under pressure. Almost like Tottenham were on the back foot from the start.”

TBR’s View:

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who scored the Spurs goal, and Tanguy Ndombele were outnumbered in last night’s midfield battle against Liverpool.

Spurs were certainly a big goal threat on the counter-attack with Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son in the opening 45 minutes, but that changed when the former was forced off at half-time through injury.

Mourinho has been praised in the past for setting his team up defensively and it’s something he tried to do again last night, but unfortunately individual defensive mistakes cost them.