Pundits identify Tottenham Hotspur ‘mystery’ that must baffle Antonio Conte after Liverpool defeat

Graeme Souness and Jamie Redknapp were left confused by Tottenham Hotspur after they made a slow start in their home defeat against Liverpool - and they believe Antonio Conte will feel the same way.

There were just 11 minutes on the clock when the visitors took the lead as a typically clinical touch and finish from Mo Salah beat Hugo Lloris and gave his side a perfect start to the game. Spurs struggled to create chances but were unfortunate not to get back on level-terms when Ivan Perisic struck the post after getting on the end of a cross from Harry Kane.

Jurgen Klopp’s men doubled their lead five minutes before half-time as Salah punished an error from Eric Dier and gave his side a two-goal advantage at half-time. But a much-improved second-half display and the introduction of Dejan Kulusevski finally put the visitors under sustained pressure and Spurs were handed a route back into the game with a fine finish from Harry Kane with just over 20 minutes remaining.

But an equaliser remained out of reach as Antonio Conte’s men remained in fourth place in the table after Newcastle United’s impressive 4-1 win at Southampton earlier in the day saw them move into third.

After the game, former Spurs midfielder Redknapp told Sky Sports: “There were a lot better first-half than they were last week against Bournemouth, where they were diabolical. That was as bad a performance as Spurs have had in years and they managed to turn that around.

“But second-half, it was almost as if they forget because sometimes you get so bogged down with systems and where you are playing. The wing-backs pushed on and all of a sudden you saw the wing-backs get higher. Royal starts to push on and stops Robertson playing, it’s the same with Trent (Alexander-Arnold) on the other side.

“But also you’ve got better players on the pitch. Kulusevski made such a difference when he came on, he wanted the ball in tight areas. It felt like they were going to get something.”

Former Liverpool manager Souness praised Spurs for the improvement they made during the second-half but insisted the slow starts they have made in recent weeks must be confusing for Conte.

“On another day they would (have got something),” he explained.

“The goalkeeper did his bit a couple of times, coming out for crosses, smashing into people. But I think for me, we can talk about different formations, playing the game and tactics. From the first whistle of the second-half, Spurs were more aggressive. There’s interesting stats, not a card today and there were some meaty challenges going on.

“Spurs, at the start of the second-half, I assume they got a rollocking from their manager at half-time. They were up for it. They were knocking a few Liverpool players on their backside and that’s taking the tempo through the rest of the half. Why they can’t start like that must be a mystery for the manager.”