Chris Waddle has criticised Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier for the ease in which Liverpool’s Sadio Mane was allowed to deliver crosses on Wednesday night.
Liverpool moved three points clear of Spurs at the top of the Premier League table by winning 2-1 at Anfield last night.
Roberto Firmino scored a last-minute header to spoil an otherwise brilliant defensive performance from Tottenham.
Aurier, Jose Mourinho’s right-back, was set for a tough game up against the likes of Andy Robertson and Mane, but the Ivory Coast international gave a solid account of himself.
But speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Waddle has found fault in Aurier’s one-on-one defending against the Liverpool winger, claiming it was too easy for the latter at times.
He said: “I can’t believe how many times Serge Aurier comes out to Sadio Mane and shows him the byeline as if to say ‘go on then, cross it’. He’s done it three times in a row now. Don’t let him go in there. OK, no one was there for Liverpool but it was so easy for Mane.”
Defending hasn’t been Aurier’s strong suit in recent seasons, it must be said.
But it must also be said that the former Paris Saint-Germain star has come on leaps and bounds since Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino in North London last November.
And truthfully, most Tottenham fans won’t find much fault in how the 27-year-old performed last night.
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