Dejan Kulusevski insists Tottenham need to “change for the better” after their heavy defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
Spurs were beaten 6-3 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium while Arne Slot’s Reds ran riot in north London thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah.
Kulusevski was among Spurs’ goals alongside James Maddison and Dominic Solanke, but it was a largely miserable evening for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
The Australian, who kept the same squad after Thursday’s 4-3 win over Manchester United, was without several key defensive players, including Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie, as well as goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Get in 💪🔴 #DEADLIV pic.twitter.com/abECvx8l3V
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 22, 2024
The injury list is proving costly: Postecoglou’s team have now conceded ten goals in their last two home games in the league and now find themselves in the bottom half of the table despite being the division’s top scorers.
And Kulusevski believes Spurs must learn from the defeat.
“You have to improve, you have to find ways,” said the Swedish international.
“Maybe we should let them (Liverpool) have more possession, but you know, that’s not how we play. So we went out, we gave it our all. It didn’t work, maybe we’ll learn for next time.
“You have to think about how are we physically? Who is playing? How many games have we played in the last week? Who are we playing against? Did they rest for a week or so?
“You have to put everything into it because it’s like life. It’s not just black and white. Many factors play a role.
“We have to learn because we conceded six goals. I can’t sit here and say we’re doing something perfectly, that’s not the case. We need to change a little for the better and always try to change for the better.”
Son Heung-min draws level with Harry Kane today 🤝
Only Hugo Lloris (361) has more Premier League appearances for Spurs.#DEADLIV pic.twitter.com/wHiVRnpoC7
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 22, 2024
Postecoglou, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his frustration when asked by a BBC reporter whether there was anything other than Tottenham’s injury woes behind his side’s recent problems.
“I’m just going to stop answering these questions,” Postecoglou said. “If people can’t see the obvious, I won’t point it out.
“Make of it what you will, yes, we concede goals. Apart from the fact that we are missing a goalkeeper, two centre-backs and a left-back, it doesn’t match what we do.
“I don’t know what to say anymore. I think people decide in their own way. They either think what I’m doing is good or bad, and that’s okay.”
Next up for Spurs is a meeting with their former manager Nuno Espirito Santo when they travel to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
