Jose Mourinho defends Tottenham defender after costly error

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Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has defended Joe Rodon for his error which led to Liverpool putting the seal on a 3-1 win last night (Football London).

The Wales international failed to clear a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross, allowing Sadio Mane to creep in and confirm the victory.

Rodon was a £15 million capture from Swansea City during the summer transfer window.

He has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, with last night his third start in the Premier League.

At 23 the youngster is still learning his trade and Mourinho has leapt to the defence of his talented defender.

The Tottenham boss spoke with Football London after last night’s game and praised the Welshman.

He said: “Next game he plays for sure. He showed good personality, good concentration and was good on the ball.

“For me, his performance was very, very good, very solid. He made one mistake. It’s unlucky that it leads to their third goal, the goal that basically kills the game.

“When I have a player who makes one mistake, it doesn’t matter how big the mistake was, but completely out of the contest of a very good, solid performance I can only support the player.

“The best way to do that is to play him in the next game for sure.”

TBR View: Mourinho wise to persist with Rodon

These comments are bound to make the defender feel ten-feet tall.

After last night’s error, he will have felt lower than a snake’s belly but this should provide him with a pick-me-up.

Rodon is still learning his trade and perhaps the players around him are the ones who need changing.

Eric Dier was also poor last night and perhaps Toby Alderweireld is the experienced option that Mourinho needs to turn to.

Spurs have not been quite so impressive in the New Year as they were before Christmas and need to stop throwing points away.

Rodon, however, is deemed to be one of the future.

Mourinho clearly fancies him to become a star and the best way to get him through the tough times is by keeping placing his faith in him.