Ange Postecoglou says he is taking the positives despite Tottenham’s four-match losing streak in the Premier League.
The Lilywhites were beaten 4-2 at Anfield by Liverpool on Sunday and have shipped 13 goals in their last four matches.
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Postecoglou admits Tottenham are still a work in progress
Spurs have also been beaten by Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle in recent weeks but Postecoglou says his side looked more like themselves today, despite the result.
He said: “Obviously a hugely disappointing outcome for us but at least we were more like ourselves today in terms of trying to play our football.
“Our last two away games at Newcastle and Chelsea, apart from the results which weren’t great either, we just didn’t try and play our football.
“I thought today, even in the first half, some of our football, our pressing was closer to back to where it should be.”
Ange Postecoglou is confident Tottenham are headed in the right direction 📈 pic.twitter.com/g6f48D1gxe
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Mohamed Salah opened the scoring for Liverpool before further goals from Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo all-but wrapped up the points for the hosts.
Spurs fought back through Richarlison and Heung-Min Son but it was never enough to put the Merseyside club under any real pressure.
Postecoglou added: “There were moments where we played some good stuff to get through them and then we’d get to the front third and nothing would happen.
“It probably is a bit of a lack of confidence but again that’s something the guys have to work through.
“You have to find a way to overcome that because ultimately if you don’t put pressure on the opposition in the front third after you’ve worked your way up there, they’re going to get comfortable with their position.”
Richarlison was the main difference-maker when he came on as a substitute and he linked up well with Son, who moved out into his natural position as a winger.
The Brazilian scored and created both of his side’s goals and could have had another but for a great save from Alisson.
He earned the praises of his manager after the match, who admitted his physical presence made a difference.
“It’s fair to say before he came on we never looked threatening at all whenever we got into those attacking areas,” Postecoglou said.
“Him coming on, I thought Sonny improved on the left and Brennan [Johnson] on the right just gave us a bit more of a presence.”
Spurs take on Burnley next Saturday and can edge closer to the Europa League next season with a win.