‘That’s crazy’: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Ryan Mason did something completely mad yesterday

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called Ryan Mason’s tactics ‘crazy’ after facing his Tottenham Hotspur side yesterday.

Speaking to BeIN Sports after the dramatic match, Klopp spoke candidly about Tottenham’s style of play.

He suggested that even after Liverpool had taken a 3-0 lead, Spurs’ defensive approach actually ended up causing problems for the Reds. 

Liverpool were so comfortable in the early minutes that it looked like it could be any score, yet Spurs still didn’t seem happy to commit multiple men forward.

It meant that the Reds were left pushing for a fourth but, in turn, they began to leave gaps at the back which Tottenham started to exploit.

Liverpool, of course, then threw away their advantage before Diogo Jota’s late winner ensured that any frustrations were swept away before full time.

But Klopp felt that Mason’s approach didn’t get the best out of Tottenham’s players. 

“Against Tottenham they just counter attack,” he said.

“That’s crazy with the quality they have. They are really good. They don’t open up, even when you are 3-0 up, they don’t open up and that means we have to stay serious and we didn’t do that.”

Tottenham’s ‘crazy’ approach

In fairness to Mason, his approach was one which was probably dictated to him because of his predecessors. 

Antonio Conte drilled this Tottenham team to be very defensive, and when they did try to open up recently against Newcastle United, they lost 6-1.

Tottenham do seem to be trying to move away from their counter attacking approach too.

Under Conte and, formerly, Jose Mourinho – Spurs very much were a side who sat in a low block and tried to catch teams on the break.

But Tottenham’s new manager search seems to be guiding them in the direction of making them a more possession based side, who want to play on the front foot.

Whether that will make them a better team next season remains to be seen.

However, for Liverpool – there still must be concern about the manner in which they defended.

While Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son have undoubted quality, it was frustrating to see Liverpool so exposed on numerous occasions, especially as Klopp must have prepared the side for Tottenham’s approach.

Liverpool’s defence has looked rather vulnerable all season, and this was just another example of why there may be investment needed in the back-four from FSG this summer.