Mistakes cost Spurs but display will bring hope

Salah’s brilliance the difference between sides in ding-dong battle

- Dan Kilpatrick

TOTTENHAM have spent most of this season grinding out results while not playing well, so there was an irony in Antonio Conte's side going down to Liverpool after one of their better performances of the campaign.

Spurs were ultimately undone by familiar shortcomings against a big-six rival, and the match was decided by individual errors, notably from Eric Dier, and quality in both boxes, with Mohamed Salah setting the standard, as well as another slow start by the hosts.

Nonetheless, Spurs were not nearly as meek nor brittle as in the defeats by Manchester United and Arsenal last month, and had more than enough chances to take at least a point either side of Harry Kane's 11th League goal of the season.

Conte appeared almost vindicated by his side's display, starting his postmatch press conference with a dig Jurgen Klopp, who had criticised Spurs' counter-attacking football in the 1-1 draw at Anfield in May. "Before I answer the question, Jurgen was happy with the way that we played? Yeah? It was important to know his opinion," he said.

Criticism of Conte's approach has extended to some Spurs fans, who have been frustrated by the lack of ambition shown in this season's stodgier victories, but an improved display in defeat should be reason for optimism, particularly in the circumstances.