Liverpool.com

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup final with Arne Slot reaching a showpiece Wembley occasion at the first time of asking. Spurs held a 1-0 lead before kick-off but that didn't last long.

Cody Gakpo found the back of the Tottenham net in the first half to give his side a thoroughly deserved lead. While by half-time it was only 1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate, it didn't take long for Liverpool to go in front. Darwin Nunez was fouled inside the penalty area and Mohamed Salah emphatically fired a shot into the top corner.

Dominik Szoboszlai capped the win with a third goal after 75 minutes and from that point, while Son Heung-min did crash a shot off the crossbar, Liverpool was heading to Wembley. Virgil van Dijk headed home a fourth and Arne Slot's superb start to life on Merseyside goes on.

Winners

Given a go from the off, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez both did their chances of playing more minutes in the coming weeks no harm. The pair impressed in their positions and helped pen Tottenham back in its own half.

Gakpo did his chances of winning the Carabao Cup Golden Boot no harm by moving into the top scorer position and Arne Slot has made a final with Liverpool at the first time of asking. All around, it was a good night's work.

Losers

Richarlison was involved in a mini-confrontation with Virgil van Dijk early on and then booed every time he went near the ball. The former Everton striker was kept quiet by Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and by half-time had gone off injured. Spurs won't be glad of their latest setback with so many players sidelined at the moment.

The home crowd, though, took great delight in the Brazilian's misfortune. As he thumped the grass, The Kop watched on as his exit from the game was confirmed.

Player ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher (6). The Liverpool goalkeeper barely touched the ball in the first half and that didn't change much in the second either. With his feet, he was good, but he was never put under any real pressure. It took 74 minutes for him to use his hands. He only doesn't score more highly because he didn't have chance.

Conor Bradley (7). Typically strong in his forward running, it was another good showing from the Irishman. Already having gone in hard on Kylian Mbappe this season, he did the same thing to Son Heung-min here (albeit in a different part of the pitch). Quiet-ish going forward but he didn't need to be any louder.

Ibrahima Konate (7). Up against the physical Richarlison, Konate relished the battle and gave the former Everton man no time on the ball. He is always front-footed and aggressive but can step that up a notch when required.

he home crowd was very glad he did against an old foe, though he had to do less than a half against the Spurs number nine before he limped off injured. In possession, he played a few risky passes but without the ball he was very solid.

Virgil van Dijk (8). Got involved with Richarlison early on when there was no need to rile the Brazilian. After that, though, the duel was only beer going to have one outcome. Van Dijk was the clear winner. He strolled through the game with or without Richarlison on the field and even found time to score a goal.

Andy Robertson (7). Chosen ahead of Kostas Tsimikas after a strong showing against Bournemouth last weekend, Robertson played well again up against the tricky Dejan Kulusevski. He didn't give his opposite number much but his distribution could have been better at times.

Ryan Gravenberch (8). At this point, excellence is expected, but it shouldn't be underestimated. Gravenberch screened his defense really well and produced his trademark turn a couple of times. The Dutch midfielder has so much class at the base of the Liverpool midfield and Rodrigo Bentancur and co just couldn't rob him.

Curtis Jones (7). Shuttling around the midfield and progressing the ball slowly upfield with neat passing, this was a good performance from Jones. He lost the ball a couple of times but that tended to come from him being passed it while surrounded by bodies. Generally, he kept it and progressed it forward.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8). A creative hub in the middle of the field, Szoboszlai was heavily involved in the build-up for his side. The Hungarian is so powerful with his off-the-ball work but so delicate and deft with what he does in possession.

Mohamed Salah (8). Forced Antonin Kinsky into a good save with a half-volley in the first half but wasn't hugely involved near the goal, where he is always a threat. His penalty, with Nunez being fouled after latching onto his perfect pass, was perfect, smashed into the top corner. As ever, when the moments that mattered came around, he was there to deliver.

Darwin Nunez (8). He didn't have many chances to score but the Uruguayan worked the two Spurs center-backs really hard, creating space with his runs and chasing and harrying the opposition. He won the spot kick that Salah converted and played well overall. He still needs to score more but he looked really confident and suited to this game.

Cody Gakpo (8). Opened the scoring for his team with a good near-post finish. The Dutchman has a good record in the Carabao Cup: that's five in five games this season, moving him ahead of Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus. Plenty of defensive work on top of that.

Substitutes

Diogo Jota (6). He had one chance to score but put it wide. He loves playing against Spurs and should get a more sustained opportunity in the team at the weekend in Plymouth.

Liverpool has, as expected, gone strong for its Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Spurs at Anfield. The Reds are 1-0 down at the halfway mark in the tie thanks to Lucas Bergvall's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a month ago.

Caoimhin Kelleher is in goal for Liverpool with no Alisson Becker even on the bench (Vitezslav Jaros is in reserve). Trent Alexander-Arnold is injured so Conor Bradley comes into the team at full-back. Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson make up the rest of the back four.

In midfield, Arne Slot has gone with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott are among the options who can be called for from the bench.

Mohamed Salah, of course, is in the Liverpool attack. He lines up alongside Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota available in reserve.

"The equation tonight is pretty simple — we need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg if we are to achieve our objective of reaching next month's final at Wembley, in the knowledge that Spurs will have the same ambition," Slot writes in his matchday program notes.

"When the prize is so big and two very good teams share the same aim, it usually guarantees a very competitive game of football and this is exactly what we are expecting. This is what we got at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the start of January so it makes sense that, if anything, the desire of everyone involved will only increase given how small the margins are and what is at stake.

"Of course, I was not at Liverpool the last time that the club reached a Wembley final in this competition last year, but I know how special that day was for the players, staff and supporters. I have no doubt given what happened on that occasion that it is a day which will be spoken about for many years to come, but our job now is to look to create new memories."

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo. Subs: Jaros, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Jota, Diaz, Chiesa.

Liverpool hits the post

Gakpo shoots and Kinsky pushes it onto the post. Spurs have rallied slightly since the double substitution, but it’s still Liverpool on top.

Nunez hits side netting

Bradley and Nunez link in the box and the latter’s reaction shot is just inches off target. Another goal and surely this game is wrapped up.

Double Spurs change

Sarr and Bissmouma are off in place of Porro and Bergvall.

GOAL: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Was there ever any doubt? Salah slots his penalty into the top corner to double Liverpool’s lead. What a shot from the Egyptian. It means the Reds are now leading on aggregate and set for Wembley unless Tottenham can find a way back into the game.

Liverpool penalty

Kinsky takes down Nunez in the box after the Liverpool striker got to the ball first following a through ball from Salah. VAR checks and approves and Liverpool has the chance to take the lead on aggregate.

The chances keep coming

Szoboszlai has also drawn a save from Kinsky from a header, while Gakpo then tested the Spurs stopper.

Tottenham already defending

Within the first minute after the restart, Salah forces Kinsky into a low save at his near post which earns Liverpool a corner.

Second half underway

Liverpool kicks off the second 45 at Anfield.

Carragher’s verdict

The ex-Liverpool defender has given his half-time verdict on Sky Sports. “It’s been a typical Liverpool performance at Anfield. The opposition have been suffocated, they can’t get out of their own half, at times can’t get out of their own box. If you think about a Postecoglou team, it has been nowhere near enough.”

HT player ratings | Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (1-1 on aggregate)

Liverpool leads through Cody Gakpo at half-time at Anfield. The Reds are level in the tie and are well on top in the game. Caoimhin Kelleher has barely had a touch so far...

Caoimhin Kelleher (n/a)

Conor Bradley (7)

Ibrahima Konate (8)

Virgil van Dijk (7)

Andy Robertson (7)

Ryan Gravenberch (8)

Curtis Jones (7)

Dominik Szoboszlai (7)

Mohamed Salah (7)

Darwin Nunez (7)

Cody Gakpo (7)

That's half-time

Liverpool lead at half-time thanks to Gakpo’s excellent strike in the 34th minyes. The hosts have dominated at Anfield and created more and more dangerous chances as the game has gone on. Really, Slot will be disappointed that it’s only 1-0 and Spurs are still in this game. It’s 1-1 on aggregate and Liverpool needs another in the second half to avoid extra time and possibly penalties.

Tottenham change

Richarlison has been forced off due to injury. He hobbles off to be replaced by Mathys Tel, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day. Meanwhile, we’re now into seven minutes off injury-time.

Salah test Spurs keeper

Salah goes close with a back-post volley that forced Kinsky into a great save and he pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Can Liverpool nick another before the break.

Tottenham shot

In saying that, Kulusevski has just fired wide from distance. That it was Tottenham’s first chance of the half says it all.

Spurs can't get out

Tottenham are having to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks and can’t launch anything going the other way. It’s a surprising approach from Ange Postecoglou, a manager fabled for his gung-ho philosophy.

'There's only one Conor Bradley'

Anfield serenades Conor Bradley after a magnificent tackle on Heung-min Son near the Spurs corner flag. The Liverpool defender even helped his side to win a corner as the first half nears its conclusion.

Top scorer

That was Gakpo’s fifth goal of the Carabao Cup campaign this season - more than anyone else in the competition.

GOALLL: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham

Finally! Liverpool finds the goal it deserves as Salah’s sublime outside-of-the-boot cross finds Gakpo at the back post. The Dutchman shot hard and low; Kinsky had no chance. Liverpool leads on the night and is level in the tie.

Salah chance

Robertson’s cross to the back post finds Salah but the forward shoots high and wide with his right foot.

Goal disallowed

Szoboszlia scores but the assistant's flag is raised. It was a lovely finish from Liverpool’s no.8 who beat Kinsky at his near post, but just mistimed his run slightly. That’s seven shots for Liverpool so far tonight, none for Spurs.

Possible penalty

Nunez sees a shot blocked by Gray as Liverpool’s control grows. There was a VAR check for a possible handball but it was cleared and it remains 0-0 at Anfield.

Liverpool goes close

Salah’s pass to into the area flicks off Bissouma and sails just wide of the Tottenham post.

Two half chances

Szobszlai and Gravenberch both see shots from outside the area blocked. The Anfield crowd is roaring their side on, but Liverpool is struggling to break down a compact Spurs side, even if it has amassed nearly 75 percent of the possession.

Interesting observer

Trent Alexander-Arnold is watching along with the Liverpool substitutes tonight. The defender is missing through injury but Klopp is hoping the England international could be back by the weekend.

Chances at a premium

After 17 minutes there has only been one shot of note, but three pauses in play so far. It’s Liverpool who is on top and dominating possession without creating much in the way of goalscoring opportunities. There’s a good buzz at Anfield though… the crowd is expectant.

A slight pause in proceedings

Kinksy spills the ball from a Liverpool corner, colliding with Davies in the process. The Spurs defender is receiving attention from the medical staff due to a cut on his head but it was far from convincing from Kinsky, even if his fumble didn’t come to anything.

Nunez down

The striker is being seen by the physios after dropping to the ground. Richarlison accidentally caught the Liverpool forward but it doesn't look too serious.

Strong start from Liverpool

Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot is easily held by Kinsky in the first real action of the game.

Arne Slot will be forced into at least one change on Thursday night when Liverpool faces Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

The Reds trail by a single goal from the first meeting four weeks ago and, despite the scoreline, will be favorites to progress to the Wembley final in mid-March. But Liverpool will have to try and beat Spurs without the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold on Thursday.

The defender pulled up early in Saturday’s win over Bournemouth and the injury sustained on the south coast will rule him out of the Tottenham match. “He is going to miss the game tomorrow and we have to see if he is able to play on Sunday,” said Slot ahead of the second leg.

Without him, Liverpool will almost certainly turn to Conor Bradley, with Slot expected to name a strong line-up for the game. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could start at the heart of the defense, although Jarell Quansah hasn’t missed a single minute of the side’s Carabao Cup campaign.

There could also be an alteration at left-back with Andy Robertson perhaps in need of a rest, especially given Slot has often spoken about the importance of rotating his regular starters. If he does drop out, Kostas Tsimikas could start.

Behind the back four, Slot has a decision to make on whether to select Alisson - who started in the first leg - or Caoimhin Kelleher - who has been a regular in the cup competitions this season.

“I know, but the two goalkeepers don't know yet,” was Slot’s coy response to questions in the pre-match press conference. “So if I am going to leave this room, I am going to go to the media next door, and then afterwards, I'm going to inform the goalkeepers which decision I have made.”

In midfield, it’s likely the manager’s preferred three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai will form the basis of his trio, although Curtis Jones might be an option to return to the starting XI. Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott will probably begin the game on the bench.

As for Liverpool’s attacking options, Diogo Jota might not be fit to start following his recent injury issues, and Federico Chiesa clearly isn’t up to speed yet. Darwin Nunez could come into the starting XI, but Slot sticking with his preferred front three of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo seems the most likely outcome.

Ange Postecoglou has revealed a huge injury blow for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of its game against Liverpool on Thursday night.

Spurs travel to Anfield for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, leading 1-0 from the first meeting in London four weeks ago. A patched-up Tottenham side managed to inflict a rare defeat on Arne Slot and had hoped to have more numbers available for Thursday's match.

In particular, center-backs Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven have been inching closer to returns in recent weeks. The latter played 45 minutes against Elfsborg in the Europa League last week but was omitted from the squad against Brentford on Sunday.

Postecoglou explained at the weekend that he was trying to keep Van de Ven ‘on ice’ but said he could be available this week. Speaking on Wednesday, however, ahead of the second leg, the ex-Celtic boss said he won’t be able to select his first-choice center-backs.

“With Micky, and Romero to a certain extent, I feel like we've got to be a bit more conservative with them. Micky got through the game alright, but I don't think he feels he's ready for that step up to the Premier League, the intensity of it. The same with Romero.

“My view and decision is that we're not going to risk these guys [against Liverpool], keep them ticking over in training and try to make sure they are absolutely ready, without any more setbacks.”

Asked if Van de Ven’s absence was down to fitness or discomfort, Postecoglu replied: “It's a bit of everything. He got through the game [against Elfsborg] no problem, but we had a look at the figures, in terms of physical [output in the game] and he does a lot more in training, and he got through it okay.”

Spurs defender Radu Dragasin suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week to further reduce Tottenham’s defensive options, although they were boosted by the arrival of Kevin Danso on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline - and he could make his debut against Liverpool.

“After losing Radu, I sat down and thought about what we had ahead of us still... don't get me wrong, we've got a couple of massive games this week, for sure, but we've also bought ourselves a couple of weeks without midweek fixtures [in February],” Postecoglou explained, still on the topic of Van de Ven and Romero’s availability. “Beyond that, Europe kicks in, which is massive for us, hopefully we're in a final in the Carabao Cup, hopefully we’re still in the FA Cup. I just don’t see the sense right now in risking that.

“Having Kevin in is a massive bonus for us. He [Van de Ven] hasn’t re-injured the injury or anything like that. I just feel we need to get more into him, I think he feels he needs to get more into him, same with Romero, so it will just be a wait and see approach.”

Should Postecoglou opt against starting Danso, he could select the same defensive pairing as last weekend when Archie Gray and Ben Davies played at the heart of defence in the 1-0 win over Brentford.

Liverpool will hope to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Spurs tomorrow. And Ange Postecoglou is set to be missing a raft of players amid an injury crisis.

Dominic Solanke is sidelined at the moment. He has a knee injury and will not be available for another couple of weeks. Center-back Radu Dragusin also has a knee problem but his is much more serious.

Dragusin has had surgery on an ACL injury to his right knee. The 23-year-old defender picked up the issue while playing in the Europa League against Elfsborg last Thursday.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is missing at the moment so Antonin Kinsky, who made his Spurs debut against Liverpool in the first leg of the tie, will play again. Vicario had ankle surgery in November.

Brennan Johnson and Destiny Udogie are both out. Johnson won't be out for long but isn't expected to be involved here, while Udogie has a hamstring injury and could be out for a couple more weeks or so. Timo Werner has the same issue.

Summer signing Wilson Odobert has been out since November with a serious hamstring injury while James Maddison has missed Tottenham's last three matches with a calf problem. Mathys Tel is awaiting a work permit after signing from Bayern Munich a few days ago and Micky van de Ven will be assessed late on. Cristian Romero is likely to be missing as he continues to work his way back.

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin is set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an ACL injury during Tottenham's Europa League game against Elfborg last week.

The 23-year-old was replaced during the second half of Spurs' 3-0 win and subsequent scans have confirmed the club's worst fears. Ange Postecoglou's side travels to Anfield in the Carabao Cup later this week.

A club statement said: "We can confirm that Radu Dragusin will undergo surgery for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury to his right knee. Radu will be assessed by our medical team to determine when he can return to training."

Tottenham has been plagued by injuries this season, particularly in defense, with first-choice pairing Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero both missing significant chunks of the campaign.

Spurs are expected to welcome several players back during February, but boss Ange Postecoglou suggested this week's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Anfield might come too soon.

"They are all kind of around the same time — around 10 days' time," Postecoglou said on January 31 when asked about when his injured players could return. "We are talking about [Guglielmo] Vicario, [Brennan] Johnson, Destiny [Udogie], Wilson [Odobert], Timo [Werner]. [James Maddison] is around the same time as well. Romero is a bit of a tricky one.

"We are not really sure yet. There is still some work he needs to do. Certainly all those guys, I think of the long-term ones apart from Dom (Solanke) who is probably a week behind them, the rest of them are slated to be back in the next week to 10 days to be available."

On Romero's recovery, Postecoglou added: "It’s just a slower healer with him and it is one we are looking at on a week to week basis. Again, he has been out for quite a while. As with all the other long-term ones, we are just taking our time."

Tottenham Hotspur has announced the signing of Luca Furnell-Gill from Liverpool on deadline day.

Although the window shut officially 23:00 GMT (18:00 GMT) on Monday, the transfer wasn’t confirmed until nearly 12 hours later, with the young center-back moving to Spurs after a slow start to the season at Under-18 level at Kirkby.

Furnell-Gill has played just five times for the youth team this season, scoring on his final appearance for the club in a 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in December.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Tottenham said : “We are delighted to announce the signing of Luca Furnell-Gill from Liverpool.

“The centre-back, 18, has signed a contract which will run until 2028 and joins our Academy set-up.

“Previously with Preston North End, Luca joined the Reds in the Under-15s and has been in and around their Under-18s squad for the last two years, having made his debut at that level while still a schoolboy. He has also featured for Liverpool's Under-21s this season.”

Furnell-Gill began life as a winger but eventually transitioned to center-back. He was a more regular feature last season for Liverpool’s Under-18s and played in 14 of the club’s 26 league matches.

He was the third Liverpool youngster to leave on deadline day, with Kaide Gordon signing for Portsmouth on loan and Dominic Corness joining Gillingham on a short-term deal. Jayden Danns’ loan to Sunderland is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday morning and the announcement was delayed due to the Black Cats being in action against Middlesbrough on Monday night.

As for Spurs, they also confirmed the signings of Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny from Chelsea and Manchester City ’s Dan Batty on Tuesday in what was a busy deadline day for the club.

Of course, the headline news was the arrival of Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich on loan, less than a week after reports indicated he had turned down the club. The 19-year-old could make his Tottenham debut on Thursday night when the north London club travels to Liverpool for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Tel revealed that advice from Bayern team-mate and former Tottenham striker Harry Kane encouraged him to join Spurs. “He told me this is a big club with a lot of very good people,” said Tel, as per the Evening Standard. “The pitch is very nice. The training centre is very good. And if you go there, you can enjoy it. So everything was positive from Harry Kane.”

Spurs also added Kevin Danso on loan in the final days of the market, but were reportedly beaten to the signing of Axel Disasi as he ended up at Aston Villa.

Mathys Tel is reportedly set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur and could make his debut for the club on Thursday night against Liverpool.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for Spurs, who it was widely reported were rejected by Tel last week and was considering a move to Manchester United or Arsenal. Even on the morning of transfer deadline day there were claims that the Gunners were still in talks with Bayern Munich regarding a potential deal. Instead, as per Sky Sports, Tel is expected to complete a loan move to Tottenham.

The Athletic claim the finer points of the deal are yet to be agreed but state that a loan move is ‘close. Meanwhile, ESPN reporter Julien Laurens wrote on X that Ange Postecoglou called the winger personally on Monday morning and managed to convince him to sign.

At 19, Tel has already played 60 times in the Bundesliga and is Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer. After making 41 appearances for the club last season, the attacker has slipped down the pecking order this term and has started just two of Bayern’s 20 league matches this season.

He was omitted from the squad at the weekend for the 4-3 win over Holstein Kiel, and Tel may have played his last match for Bayern - certainly for this season, at least.

Adding the talented Frenchman to their ranks would be a huge boost for Spurs, who are without Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert due to injury. Tel prefers to operate from a left-wing berth but is capable of playing through the center as well.

He could provide an additional option for Ange Postecoglou on Thursday night in the second leg of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. Kevin Danso joined on loan from Lens on Sunday and could also make his debut at Anfield this week.

Spurs lead 1-0 from the first meeting four weeks ago and, should it avoid defeat, will book a spot at Wembley for the final in mid-March. Liverpool, who has no injuries at present, will be aiming to prevent that and move a step closer to Arne Slot securing his first piece of silverware as Liverpool manager.

Tottenham Hotspur is set to back beleaguered manager Ange Postecoglou ahead of its Carabao Cup semi-final showdown with Liverpool. The Reds are currently trailing the north London outfit by a goal to nil as they prepare for the second leg at Anfield on February 6, following a contentious winner in the first leg.

Lucas Bergvall netted the sole goal of the initial encounter late on, but his strike came hot on the heels of an unpunished foul on Kostas Tsimikas. The Swede had already been cautioned earlier in the match after fouling Luis Diaz, yet he managed to avoid a second yellow card before scoring the decisive goal, giving Spurs the upper hand.

Despite their early January setback against Spurs, Arne Slot's team has rebounded impressively with four victories from their last five matches. Conversely, Spurs have hit a rough patch since their win, requiring extra time to overcome non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup and suffering three consecutive Premier League losses — including a crushing defeat at home to Leicester City on Sunday.

According to Football. London, Daniel Levy is standing by the Australian manager despite the club languishing in 15th place in the league and only eight points clear of the relegation zone. It's suggested that the current injury crisis in north London and the potential for new signings in the January transfer window have bought the Spurs boss some additional time.

"Yeah, it hurts. It hurts a lot. The players gave everything again," admitted Postecoglou. "We are going to look at a lot of things, but in terms of effort I can't ask any more of this group. Things just didn't go our way today. We created some good opportunities and unfortunately things just didn't drop for us because not because the players weren't trying and that's the main thing.

"The players are giving everything they can. That is all we can ask for as a football club and me as a manager. They are trying their hardest and that is all anyone can ask for. You can analyze the goals, they were disappointing goals for us to concede, but I thought we had enough chances in the game to come out on top.

"When you're in this situation, they are trying as hard as they can, and sometimes that doesn't give you clarity in decision-making. All you can ask is for people to do as much as they can and from my perspective I see a group of players that are giving as much as they can.

"I know it will turn. We'll get some players back, we were short again today but in the next couple of weeks there's some really important players coming back that I know will help this group.

"We've not hit a ceiling. We've been going like this for two months. They put in an enormous performance on Thursday to make sure we're OK in Europe and they had to back it up today but there were probably at least two or three players that weren't at 100 per cent. I'm a football manager and I get judged on results, that is the way of the world."