Antonio Conte jokingly asked if Jurgen Klopp was happy with Tottenham’s style of play after Liverpool’s 2-1 win on Sunday.
Tottenham found themselves 2-0 down at half-time owing to some lapses in concentration at the back but, as has been the norm over the last two weeks, the Lilywhites fought back in the second half and put Liverpool under pressure.
(Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Spurs pulled one back through Harry Kane in the 70th minute but could not find an equaliser, with the Reds having their backs against the wall through the entirety of the second period.
Klopp had been quite critical of the Spurs’ defensive approach after both of Liverpool’s matches against the North Londoners last season.
After the 2-2 draw at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, the Liverpool boss accused Spurs of just kicking the ball long and having their forwards run after it (Liverpool’s official website), while he insisted after the 1-1 draw at Anfield in May that he didn’t like Lilywhites’ defensive tactics (Eurosport).
However, it was his side who defended with men behind the ball on Sunday, and that fact was not lost on Conte.
When asked in his post-match press conference if his side should have at least taken a point from the game, the Spurs boss told Football.London: “Before I answer the question, Jurgen was happy with the way that we played tonight? Yeah? It was important to know his opinion.
“Jurgen is a really good coach but at the end tonight we are talking about a defeat and I’m happy with the game that we played at Anfield. The final result was 1-1 and it was better.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Klopp looked like a complete hypocrite, given the way Liverpool approached the game in the second half. I have no problem with the Reds adopting a defensive approach but the German coach made it clear last season that he will never coach his side to play in that manner. I wonder what changed?
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