Tottenham Hotspur hosted Liverpool in the 17th round of the English Premier League, but lost by a score of 3-6. After the game, Tottenham coach Postecoglou faced the media, analyzed the loss in detail, and responded to the sharp questions of many reporters.
Facing his team's performance, Postecoglou said bluntly, "Today's game was a painful one. I pay tribute to Liverpool's excellent performance, they have extraordinary strength, excellent form, stability and confidence. In contrast, we were outclassed and lacked the energy to compete with our opponents."
Despite the team's setbacks, Postecoglou remains steadfast in his coaching philosophy. He said firmly, "I have patiently answered the same questions for the past 18 months. If someone expects me to change my strategy, I will never compromise. There is a reason for the way we are going and we believe it will lead us to success. It may be difficult for outsiders to understand our situation and challenges, but they are obvious. I will remain committed to building the ideal team and accepting every challenge on the road to growth."
When asked if Liverpool showed the standard that Spurs need to catch up with, Postecoglou responded, "Liverpool are a top team and have a lot to learn from us. We are also trying to mold our style."
Speaking about the gap between the two teams, Postecoglou admits, "We are still growing as a team, and for 18 months we have reinvented the team in a new style. We have faced many challenges along the way despite limited player availability. Especially now, we're struggling to position ourselves. But the commitment of the players to what they are doing has never wavered. Even on such a difficult day, I am proud of their efforts."
Kulusevski's goal-scoring streak was also recognized by Postecoglou: "Dejan has been outstanding all year. His finishing has improved now, thanks to his hard work, and he's taken his game to new heights."
When the team was down 2-5, the fans chanted Postecoglou's name, which touched him deeply: "The fans did a great job today. It was crucial for us that they supported the players in the face of such a tough day. I hope they see what we are trying to build as I am confident it will deliver the desired results for the club and the fans."
Speaking about the upcoming schedule and personnel adjustments, Postecoglou said, "We've been using the same players for the past three weeks. I understand how tough it is and things won't change much in the short term. We just have to move on and in January we will be bringing in new players, some of whom will come from within, and hopefully the injured players will recover soon. At the same time, if there is a suitable player, we will consider bringing him in."
Finally, Postecoglou spoke about the pressure of coaching and future plans, "I'm not happy with where we are in the standings, but I'm not sure what aspect of pressure you're referring to. All I'm doing is leading the team through this difficult period and trying to improve our ranking. If the right players are available, we will look to bring them in to help us continue to grow."
