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Tottenham news: Alan Shearer baffled by Spurs team selection in Liverpool defeat
ALAN SHEARER has admitted he was left baffled by Mauricio Pochettino’s team selection for Tottenham against Liverpool.
Tottenham produced a woeful display and slumped to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday at Wembley.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino were both on target as the Reds maintained their perfect start to the season with five wins from their first five Premier League games.
Had Jurgen Klopp’s men been more clinical, they could have won by a much greater margin.
Spurs were edgy throughout the 90 minutes and Heung Min-Son wasn’t introduced to the game until 20 minutes from the end, although it proved to be too little, too late as Erik Lamela’s volleyed strike proved scant consolation for the hosts.
And Shearer thinks Son, who has been one of Spurs’ most consistent performers over the past 18 months, was puzzled as to why the South Korean attacker didn’t start as well as question the decision to play Eric Dier in a three in midfield.
“I was surprised with the team selection - he played Dier on the right of a three in mid and he looked very uncomfortable,” Shearer said on Match of the Day when asked about Pochettino’s starting XI for the match.
“If there was a time to start Son, he’s just won a trophy, he would be on an incredible high and I thought that would have been the perfect game to put him in.”
Shearer, however, believes Spurs’ biggest worry is that Liverpool were far from their best.
Pochettino reflects on 2-1 loss following Liverpool clash
I thought that would have been the perfect game to put him in
When asked for his thoughts on the Anfield outfit’s display, Shearer added: “Oh, they definitely deserved it!
“The main worry for Tottenham was that Liverpool weren’t even at their very best.
“They probably should have scored six or seven.
“When Pochettino questioned their commitment after Watford, you thought they would be right at it!
“There were so many mistakes and glaring mistakes from every player.
“Liverpool should have a field day and their pressing at times was excellent.
“They pressed Tottenham into mistakes.”
Spurs’ defeat sees them slip to sixth in the table.