Jamie Redknapp says Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United will be ‘loving’ the news and drama at Champions League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
On Sunday evening, Daniel Levy booted Antonio Conte out of the door, and given the Italian’s outspoken rant, Jamie Redknapp feels that now puts fourth-placed Tottenham on the back foot to secure a Champions League finish.
The former midfielder was backing Spurs do the job, before all of that drama, but he now feels that Liverpool and Newcastle are at an advantage – Cristian Stellini will take charge until the end of the season.
It’s probably no surprise that Conte was sacked given his powerful words, some would say he spoke the truth, but he has paid for his actions, nonetheless – Harry Redknapp previously stated that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool could have done the same.
But will the north London club also pay out on the pitch? The issue they have is that the Magpies, the Reds and Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton are hunting them down, with games in hand.
Jamie Redknapp was asked about who he was backing for fourth spot during the final run-in and how he wouldn’t want to put his money on it, as he told Sky Sports News (27/03/23).
“If Antonio Conte hadn’t had this problem, then I probably would have said yes (Spurs would get top four),” said Redknapp.
“But Newcastle, I am sure, will be loving this news. Liverpool will be loving this news. Everyone that’s in the top-four race will be.
“It gives the players, to a certain extent, if they don’t (get Champions League football). They owe it to the fans. They owe it to themselves. They all want Champions League.
“Newcastle have some games in hand, which is going to be vitally important. They have some tough games coming up. This is a 50-50 call, of course, Spurs can, but I wouldn’t like to bet on it right now because of the clubs that are chasing them. I think this is good news for the clubs around them.”
TOTTENHAM ON THE BACK FOOT
The issue Spurs face is that the momentum will be with their rivals because of what’s happened at their club of late, not forgetting that they are the ones being hunted.
As those at Hotspur Way found out last season, it’s sometimes better to chase teams during the final months of the season because of the lack of pressure.
Either way, with the Antonio Conte-less club having to travel to St James’ Park, Anfield and also welcoming Roberto De Zerbi’s free-scoring Brighton to north London during these coming weeks, then dropped points in those matches could prove to be a disaster.
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