One one hand, Tottenham Hotspur put forth their best performance since Igor Tudor took charge (and long before) and escaped Anfield with a deserved 1-1 draw on Sunday.
LIVERPOOL 1-1 SPURS — Video highlights & recap
On the other hand, Spurs are still without a win in their last 12 Premier League games and only had 12 senior outfield players available for selection. West Ham and Nottingham Forest also picked up a point apiece this weekend, keeping Spurs (30 points) one point and two places above the relegation zone with eight games left to play.
Up next for Spurs: at home, against Forest, next weekend.
Igor Tudor reaction — What did Spurs boss say after Richarlison’s late equalizer vs Liverpool?
“I agree, a lot of hard work [from the players]. We had to do the right things to be a team. In the end, you can say we deserve [the goal]. We tried until the last second. … With just two [senior outfield] players on the bench, it’s not easy, really, so I’m happy. Happy for the players.”
Much better performance today? “I’m happy. It’s never easy to come here to play in this stadium — everyone knows. So we stayed in the game until the last minute and we believed and we tried, and in the end the goal comes. A very good point for us looking forward.”
Are you making progress with the team? “There was progress in terms of mentality, in terms of the will to stay and suffer when it’s a [hard] moment, to be the team. For sure, this is progress, but I cannot speak about progress because the last two games we know what happened [heavy defeats to Crystal Palace and Atletico Madrid]. Today is a game where we come here with 12 players, in this stadium, in this moment. This is for me, for our club, for our fans — this is something big.”
Something to enjoy since your arrival, celebrating the equalizer? “Yeah. Yeah, it’s nice.”
Very important week coming up? “All the games are important, because there are not many until the end [of the season]. Every point counts. We need to get back some players, we need to choose the right players for Wednesday, and then finish with this important game [against Nottingham Forest on Sunday].”
Change in tactics? “In attack, we tried something different. In this moment, it’s difficult to work on and structure in attack, so we try to simplify it otherwise it can get more difficult. The style of football is what it is, and I think it’s a good start. The team spirit was amazing. This was the main demand. The quality is there. Every point is crucial, we are just going game by game. We hope today is a turning point.”
Goal-scorer Richarlison, on Spurs drawing Liverpool at Anfield
“First half, I missed two shots but I kept going. Second half, I have the opportunity again and this time I scored. It’s a big point. We stay focused for next week. n the week, we have the Champions League but the focus is now on the Premier League.”