Mauricio Pochettino declared his Tottenham Hotspur side “heroes” after their late 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, having felt that his players had dominated the contest.
Tottenham’s winless run in the league stretched to five games – their worst run under Pochettino – after a 90th-minute Hugo Lloris error led to a Toby Alderweireld own goal.
Pochettino’s side remain in the top four, after results elsewhere went against them this weekend, the race to qualify for next season’s Champions League tightened up.
Just one point now separates Tottenham in third and Chelsea in sixth. Arsenal, who are fifth, host Newcastle United on Monday night.
“The second half we dominate and we play much better than Liverpool,” Pochettino claimed. “Overall I think we were better than Liverpool.
“I was so disappointed and very critical after [losing at] Southampton but today I can say nothing.
“We bounced back, the second half is the way you want to play and that feeling you need if you want to be a real contender.
“My players are heroes and deserve a lot of credit and whatever happens in the end of the season, I’m going to be happy my players are heroes.”
Pochettino called on his side to treat their seven remaining Premier League fixtures as a “mini-league”, starting with the first game at their new stadium, against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
“We have a mini-league that starts Wednesday in our new stadium that must be a big boost for everyone and it is in our own hands to be in the top four,” he said.
“It is not to justify the defeat or an excuse, it’s just with all the circumstances that arrive.
“We have seven games to play, fighting with teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United.
“We are in the middle so I think the players they deserve massive credit with all the circumstances again.”
