Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has said Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou does not know what he is doing after his side’s “horrendous” EFL Cup exit at Liverpool.
Spurs failed to have a shot on target as they surrendered a 1-0 first-leg advantage to lose 4-0 in their 15th defeat of the season in all competitions.
“I cannot remember a team, in my lifetime, go down with less of a fight with what Spurs did today,” said Redknapp, speaking to Sky Sports.
“Not having one shot on target in the semi-final of a second leg when you’re trying to change the course of your history? I cannot get my head around [it].
“There have been defeats to Ipswich, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Everton. Everyone seems to find a way of beating this Tottenham side. The manager baffles me with his tactics. I think he’s completely lost in what he’s trying to do.”
“They are nice on the eye when all is going well, but you never expect them to win anything” 😬
Jamie Carragher thinks Spurs as a club have a ‘mental block’ pic.twitter.com/2HMYfW99AL
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025
Tottenham senior players ‘didn’t lead’
Postecoglou has cut a downtrodden figure for much of a miserable Premier League campaign, with his own observation that he has a fine record of winning trophies during his second year at clubs giving fans hope that cup competitions could salvage their campaign.
Spurs have faced an injury crisis but interrupted a dismal run by handing Liverpool a surprise second domestic loss of the season through Lucas Bergvall’s winner in the first leg.
“I know it is difficult because you have a one-goal lead and you are coming to Anfield, but in the first half they are trying to play it out from the back, the goalkeeper [Antonin Kinsky, who conceded a second-half penalty] is edgy and the midfield never showed any courage to get on the ball and make things happen,” argued Redknapp.
“I feel sorry for those players. I think Djed Spence played 14 different positions tonight. I’ve never seen anything like it. You have young players, you’re meant to protect them.
“Archie Gray and Bergvall, they’re young men and trying their best. But I’m looking at the experienced players today to lead and try to set the tempo. They didn’t do that one bit.”
“He baffles me with his tactics sometimes”
Jamie Redknapp says Ange Postecoglou is lost in what he is trying to do 😬 pic.twitter.com/c4Oj20OIT7
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025
Postecoglou: Liverpool ‘too good’
Postecoglou’s cavalier approach has drawn criticism throughout the season, but the Australian has called for time and repeatedly insisted that the players he has available are performing to their maximum.
The 59-year-old became the odds-on favourite to become the next Premier League manager to leave their post after goals by Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk ousted his side.
“We definitely needed to be braver with and without the ball,” Postecoglou told the broadcaster. “It’s easier said than done at a place like this.
“I guess it’s a very good Liverpool team in a good spell of form and very settled. It’s what we needed to do and we didn’t do it… we never got to grips with any part of the game today. They were too good for us.
“We have given up a good opportunity tonight and we cannot shy away from that. We were in a good position to get to the final. Nobody needs to pick me up, I just need to pick up the players.”
“They were the far better team” 😕
Ange Postecoglou reflects on Spurs’ Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool. pic.twitter.com/W8IYtzUvT5
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025
Spurs EFL Cup exit ‘abject’
Redknapp felt Postecoglou had no excuses. “There have been some lows… but when you look at that scoreline? Just horrendous,” he said.
“They were so abject and it wasn’t the inexperienced players, it was the experienced ones. Yes, they have had injuries but there are still enough players there to cause Liverpool some problems.
“You have to adapt and you have to change. If you haven’t got the personnel you want, then you have to make sure your tactics are spot on.”
The holders will meet the Magpies at Wembley Stadium on March 16 after Eddie Howe’s side completed a 4-0 aggregate victory at home to Arsenal on Wednesday.
