Jamie Redknapp believes Tottenham’s defensive display against Liverpool highlighted just how much they miss Danny Rose.
Pundit and former Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Danny Rose’s agent should be looking for a new contract after Spurs’ 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Spurs went to Anfield in search of another victory on Saturday evening, and having gone nine Premier League games without defeat, they would have gone into the game with real confidence, especially as Liverpool hadn’t won in the Premier League in 2017.
However, a disastrous first half showing saw Liverpool race into a 2-0 lead, with winger Sadio Mane scoring two quickfire goals to hand the Reds victory.
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Mane tormented left back Ben Davies throughout, and the Welshman’s performance left many to wonder just how different the game could have been had first-choice left back Danny Rose been available for selection.
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Rose, 26, has not only established himself as Tottenham’s first-choice left back since Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival as Spurs boss in the summer of 2014, but he has also become one of the best left backs in Europe.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp
His pace and attacking play are a major factor in Tottenham’s setup, and Davies just doesn’t offer anywhere near the same attributes, and not only did he fail to offer much attacking threat against Liverpool, but the drop-off in pace from Rose to Davies was noticeable as Mane ran riot.
Now, pundit Jamie Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that he knew Tottenham would struggle against Liverpool as soon as he saw Davies in the Spurs back four, as Rose has proven that he can cope with Mane’s pace.
Redknapp added that Spurs simply aren’t the same team without Rose, and suggested that the defender’s agent should be pestering the club for another new contract – despite the fact that he only signed another new deal in September 2016.
“Tottenham’s defeat at Anfield highlighted the importance of Danny Rose,” said Redknapp. “As soon as I saw Tottenham’s back four I knew they would struggle against Sadio Mane — particularly Ben Davies filling in for the injured Rose at left back. Rose would have matched pace with pace and dealt with Mane, as he did when Liverpool travelled to White Hart Lane.”
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“As our heat maps show, Rose forced Mane into a deeper, central position during the 1-1 draw in August. Up against Davies on Saturday, Mane terrorised Tottenham down the right flank. Mane drew a blank at the Lane but scored twice at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp deserves credit for identifying and exploiting this weakness in Tottenham’s defence. Spurs are not the same side without Rose and if I was his agent, I would be pestering Mauricio Pochettino for a new contract!” he added.
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