Ange Postecoglou has made it clear: Tottenham’s visit to Liverpool on Sunday isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about pride.
As the Premier League season enters its decisive weeks, Spurs face a daunting trip to Anfield, where Liverpool are on the cusp of a record-equalling 20th title. A point or more for Jurgen Klopp’s men would see them crowned champions — but Postecoglou isn’t interested in playing a supporting role.
Despite his boyhood admiration for Liverpool, the Australian manager insists the only focus is restoring Tottenham’s battered reputation after a turbulent campaign. A loss on Sunday would match Spurs’ worst-ever tally of Premier League defeats in a single season, a statistic Postecoglou is determined to avoid.
“I’m an adult now, not a starry-eyed kid,” he said bluntly when asked about his childhood support for Liverpool. “Our job is to compete, to measure ourselves against the best, and to play without fear. That’s the standard we set, no matter the opponent.”
Tottenham’s priorities are split with one eye on the Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt next week but Postecoglou insisted that Sunday’s match demands full commitment. For a side still searching for consistency, a strong performance at Anfield would serve as a timely reminder of their potential heading into the crucial final stretch.
However, injuries complicate the challenge. Star forward Son Heung-min has been ruled out with a foot injury, leaving the captain’s armband likely to pass to center-back Cristian Romero a player who stirred transfer speculation this week after admitting he would consider a future move to La Liga.
For Postecoglou, though, the message to his squad is simple: forget the noise, play with pride, and leave no doubts about Tottenham’s competitive spirit no matter what celebrations might be waiting on Merseyside.
