Ange Postecoglou tells critics he'll maintain attacking rage

Ange Postecoglou has lauded his Tottenham players for sticking to his tactical formula, despite claiming an unwanted defensive record after his first 18 months in charge.

Sorely depleted by injuries amid a heavy schedule, Tottenham were beaten 6-3 by ladder leaders Liverpool on Sunday, as they slumped to a third loss in four Premier League games.

Tottenham have scored the most goals in the Premier League this season, totalling 39 in 17 games.

Despite that, they now sit 11th on the table, with a 7-2-8 record.

Postecoglou has embraced the Spurs’ moniker as England’s entertainers since he arrived at Tottenham with his attacking mindset at the start of last season.

But the former Socceroos manager has faced no bigger challenge than now.

Spurs are without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, centrebacks Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero and leftbacks Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie, all on their lengthy injury list.

With Tottenham stretched to their limits, Liverpool had 24 shots on goal for the match.

The result took Tottenham’s average Premier League goals conceded to 3.6 under Postecoglou, the most of any manager in history with 50 games at the helm.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was among those to question whether Postecoglou should alter his approach for now, calling for more flexibility with the team down to “bare bones”.

The Sky Sports analyst acknowledged the Australian’s career history of success but said his former club could have put 10 on Tottenham on Sunday.

“Within five minutes of this game starting we all know Liverpool were going to win comfortably,” Carragher said.

Notably, he said more support was needed for teenager Archie Gray, who was left to defend at centre against Liverpool due to injuries.

“I just use my own experience as a player ... If I was an 18-year-old centre back playing against that front three I would need help.

“You have got to tweak things.”

But Postecoglou insisted there was no need for change, growing weary of continual questions over his tactics.

Instead, he maintained it was a positive the team had stayed true to their approach through the hectic clash.

“I feel have been really patient the last 18 months sitting up here answering the same questions over and over again,” Postecoglou said.

“If people want me to change my approach, it’s not going to change. We are doing it for a reason, we are doing it because we think it will help us to be successful.

“What I will say is the players are not wavering in their commitment to what we are trying to do.

“Even today, a difficult day, I’m really proud of the fact they still tried to play a certain way knowing that is our way forward.”

His comments came as Liverpool manager Arne Slot hailed the win as the best away victory of his reign, moving them four points clear at the top.

With large sections of the home crowd still chanting his name in the second half of the loss, Postecoglou hoped fans could appreciate what his team were working to develop.

“All I can do is navigate us through a difficult period,” Postecoglou said.

“If you’re saying that 10th means I’m not doing a good job and I maybe somehow should be uncomfortable, well that’s for others to judge.”

Postecoglou should get Davies and Udogie back from injury in the next week with games against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton.

There is also the potential for Spurs to look to the January transfer window for reinforcements.