Michael Owen says one Jose Mourinho decision in Spurs loss last night left him ‘staggered’

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has been criticised by Optus Sport pundit Michael Owen for his tactics in last night’s Premier League defeat.

Spurs headed to Liverpool hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table but were beaten by the reigning champions, who leapfrogged them to the summit.

The hosts took the lead in the 26th minute through Mohamed Salah, whose first-time strike took a deflection off Toby Alderweireld and looped into the top corner of the Spurs goal.

However, Spurs were level seven minutes later against the run of play, as a counter-attack saw Giovani Lo Celso release Son Heung-min, who duly slotted past Alisson Becker.

The visitors were much improved after the break but Liverpool held on before striking in the 90th minute, Andrew Robertson’s cross headed home by Roberto Firmino.

The first half, in particular, saw Spurs overrun in midfield, and Owen pointed out what Mourinho had done wrong, with one particular decision leaving him baffled.

“In their eagerness to nullify the wide players, Jose Mourinho has almost let them have a spare man and it is killing Tottenham all the time,” he told Optus Sport during the game.

“It is the one time Jose Mourinho has really got his tactics wrong. Liverpool are absolutely dominating that midfield area with spare men.

“As soon as I saw Sissoko moving to the right-hand side to nullify Robertson I was staggered. It cost them the goal. They’re just getting constant pressure in the final third.”

TBR View:

Admittedly, Mourinho’s initial errors in his selection and tactics were put right fairly quickly as Spurs pounced to equalise and then, in a revamped 4-2-3-1, were much better after the interval.

Ultimately, wastefulness in front of goal – something Mourinho couldn’t do much about – cost Tottenham dear, but despite losing top spot, there remains plenty of optimism going forward.