‘Abject’: Ange Postecoglou circles drain at Tottenham after Liverpool humiliation

A photo shows “lonely” Ange Postecoglou is on his final legs with drums beating loudly about his potential termination.

The drums are beating louder than ever that Ange Postecoglou is facing the sack after Tottenham hit a new low in a League Cup thrashing at the hands of Liverpool.

Liverpool overturned a first leg deficit to reach the League Cup final with a 4-0 thrashing of Spurs at Anfield on Friday morning (AEDT) as Postecoglou’s team failed to record a shot on target for the entire game.

It is the first time Spurs haven’t troubled the goalkeeper at least one time in a match since the Australian manager took the top job.

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Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk were on target for the Reds, who will face Newcastle at Wembley on March 16 for the first silverware of the English season.

Tottenham last lifted silverware in 2008 and Postecoglou now has one less opportunity to fulfil his promise of winning a trophy in his second season.

There is speculation the former Socceroos coach could be shown the door if another goes awry away to Aston Villa in the FA Cup at the weekend with Spurs languishing 14th in the Premier League.

“We have given up a good opportunity tonight and we cannot shy away from that,” said Postecoglou.

Ange Postecoglou looked lonely. Photo: AFP and Getty.

“They were by far better team. They were too good for us.”

Tottenham were simply putrid, at least in the eyes of Sky Spots pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“We expected more from Tottenham tonight,” the Liverpool great said.

“I cannot get my head around them not having one shot on target in a semi final.

“I know it is difficult because you have a one-goal lead and you are coming to Anfield, but in the first half they are trying to play it out from the back, the goalkeeper is edgy and the midfield never showed any courage to get on the ball and make things happen.

“They were so abject and it wasn’t the inexperienced players, it was the experienced ones.”

He went on to say: “The manager baffles me with his tactics.

“I think he’s completely lost in what he’s trying to do. This is what I do.

“You have to adapt and you have to change. if you haven’t got the personnel you want then you have to make sure your tactics are spot on.”

Liverpool great Jamie Carragher also said: “He’s a manager who is just trying to find something and what he’s trying is not working”.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images.

Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson also described it as a “damaging performance” when speaking on Sky Sports.

After watching Postecoglou after the game, Sky Sports commentator Michael Dawson said: “He looks lonely there on his own. He’s going through a challenging time.

“Believe me, that was a low, low night for Spurs.”

Postecoglou said after the game “lonely” is not an emotion he feels.

“We had a great opportunity and unfortunately we didn’t grab it,” said Postecoglou.

“There’s still plenty to play for us this year. We have a huge game with Villa on Sunday.” Often derided for his gung-ho approach, Postecoglou’s team selection appeared to have containing Liverpool in mind.

But there was little doubt over the outcome once Gakpo opened the floodgates on 33 minutes.

“They were too good for us,” added Postecoglou.

“We didn’t start the game off on the right foot and allowed them to get comfortable, and once they got comfortable, it was very difficult then for us to wrestle that control back.”

Liverpool remain on course for a quadruple in a dream debut season for Arne Slot.

Hello darkness my old friend. Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP.

They enjoy a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League, have cruised into the last 16 of the Champions League and visit Championship strugglers Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

“To reach a final should always be special,” said Slot.

“It was a very good performance from our side.”

Despite having more glamorous titles to win, Slot showed his desire to make the League Cup his first trophy as Liverpool boss by naming he is strongest available team bar the usual rotation in goal for cup competitions as Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson Becker.

New signing Kevin Danso was forced straight in to Tottenham’s injury-ravaged defence, while Mathys Tel also made an early debut off the bench after Richarlison hobbled off injured.

Already without record signing Dominic Solanke, Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert in attacking areas, Tottenham never looked capable of mounting the threat they needed to survive the Liverpool onslaught.

Newcastle are eyeing an end to their own 56-year wait for a major trophy after an impressive 4-0 humbling of Arsenal on aggregate in the other semi-final.

But the Magpies have the unenviable task of stopping Slot’s juggernaut if they are to do so.

Originally published as ‘Abject’: Ange Postecoglou circles drain at Tottenham after Liverpool humiliation