‘Of course he will’: Glenn Hoddle makes bold claim about Spurs boss Jose Mourinho

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Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle has claimed that Jose Mourinho believes Spurs are in the Premier League title race, but “of course” will play down his side’s hopes.

On Wednesday night, Tottenham headed to Liverpool hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table but were beaten by the reigning champions, who leapfrogged them at 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.

It was just Tottenham’s second league loss of the season and Hoddle reckons Mourinho’s reaction to the defeat is a sign that he genuinely believes the North Londoners have what it takes to go the distance.

“He wouldn’t be frosty like this if he didn’t really believe that he was in the hunt and he had a chance of winning this title,” Hoddle told Optus Sport.

“He is playing it down, of course he will, right the way down until he is leading in April and he can’t play it down!

“At the end of the day, he knows Liverpool have done what they’ve done season after season recently and from his point of view, Spurs were the better team.

“I’ll tell you why he is saying that; his plan was to play exactly like that – to counter- it is all about, do you take your chances when you actually get one on one with the goalkeeper?

“He is really upset with his team. He won’t dig out any individuals. Yes they went a bit direct, but you have to say, they had the best chances. There is no doubt about it.”

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As disappointing as it was for Spurs to lose at Liverpool and relinquish top spot in the table, they weren’t overrun by any means and, on another day, could’ve easily won it.

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.