Postecoglou not angry despite heavy loss to Liverpool

Ange Postecoglou refuted the suggestion he was angry after Tottenham’s 6-3 defeat to Liverpool.

Spurs were well beaten by the Premier League leaders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, despite goals from James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke.

Liverpool, though, could easily have had more goals, as Postecoglou’s front-foot approach left a ramshackle Spurs defence exposed.

The Reds had 24 shots and created chances worthy of a whopping 5.6 expected goals (xG), and Postecoglou was prickly when he was questioned over his tactical approach in the wake of the defeat.

Yet ahead of Spurs’ trip to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, Postecoglou dismissed the idea he was angry.

“I wasn’t angry, but I don’t know many managers that bounce into interviews after a defeat and are all cheery,” said Postecoglou.

“Fair to say I am getting tired of the same questions over and over and perhaps after a defeat it’s easier to get a reaction.”

3.6 – Tottenham’s Premier League matches under Ange Postecoglou have seen an average of 3.6 goals scored per game. Among those to take charge of 50+ games in the competition, this is the highest goals per game rate for any manager. Frenzy. pic.twitter.com/VX1VZInKQ6

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 22, 2024

Postecoglou will be using Christmas to prepare for the clash with in-form Forest, who head into Thursday’s clash in the top four, seven places ahead of Spurs.

Asked about his Christmas Day plans, he said: “It’s a family tradition. I’m on my own.

“They’re in Australia in warmer climes with family. I’ll give them a call in the morning and then I’ll go about my day.”

A positive omen for Postecoglou is that Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 16 league games played on Boxing Day (W12 D4) since a 2-0 loss at Portsmouth in 2003-04.

Only Aston Villa (20 between 1890 and 1913) have had a longer such unbeaten run in English Football League history.