Liverpool have been drawn against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals
Arne Slot praised the 'brand' and 'identity' of his Premier League rivals
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By LEWIS STEELE
Published: 06:24 EST, 20 December 2024 | Updated: 06:24 EST, 20 December 2024
Arne Slot says he is supporting Tottenham to win a trophy this season because of their exciting brand of football under Ange Postecoglou.
The Aussie boss has come under sharp scrutiny this season for his tactics, with Sky Sports’ Gary Neville slamming their commitment to playing out from the back when under pressure.
But Liverpool head coach Slot is a huge fan and says Postecoglou’s approach is justified by results like the 4-3 win against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Thursday night.
‘I really have to give them credit because if I look at Tottenham… I come from Holland but I watch a lot of Match of the Day and David Ginola, Paul Gascoigne, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale Rafael van der Vaart, they have always been a certain brand and a certain identity,’ said Slot.
‘And I think Postecoglou gives them that completely, and they are always a joy to watch.
‘Sometimes results go against them but they are one of the teams who beat Manchester City, like us, but not every team beat them in the manner we did and Tottenham did. It is completely deserved in these two situations, dominating the whole game, us and Tottenham.’
Arne Slot made the shock revelation that he is hoping Tottenham can win a trophy this season
The two sides were drawn against one another in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with the first leg in London
Mohamed Salah and Co have been the best side in the country this term and lead the top-flight
Liverpool travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday and will be back in north London for the Carabao Cup semi-final, with Slot and Postecoglou facing off in a two-legged tie in the New Year.
And Slot added: ‘Great work Ange is doing there and I hope it is being seen a bit more there and I also hope, hope, hope he wins a trophy… not the League Cup! But I am completely a fan of his team for the Europa League.
‘People always talk about trophies but for me his brand of football is so much more important. If they could combine that with winning a trophy then it would be so good for football in general. So people stop talking about it being too attacking or whatever. How on earth can you play too much attacking football?!’
Everyone but two players are set to train for Liverpool on Friday, with only Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley missing. Alexis Mac Allister will return to league action after a suspension.