Simon Jordan saw Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy celebrate Mo Salah’s penalty miss as Liverpool suffered a setback in their Champions League ambitions this weekend, speaking to talkSPORT (13 March, 11.50am).
Just six days after his finest performance of an inconsistent campaign, Salah followed up that Manchester United masterclass by firing high and wide from the penalty spot as Jurgen Klopp’s side came crashing back down to earth on the South Coast.
Philip Billing’s first-half strike was the difference; Liverpool’s number 11 squandering a late equaliser as he lashed his kick into the stands from 12 yards.
With Tottenham defeating Nottingham Forest a few hours later, the gap between Spurs and Liverpool now stands at six points. And Jordan, who was in the Tottenham boardroom on Saturday afternoon, has revealed just how well a rare Salah blunder went down in North London.
Mo Salah misses penalty as Liverpool lose to AFC Bournemouth
“I was in the boardroom at Tottenham,” says the former Crystal Palace owner. “And they were all cheering when Salah missed! Specifically Levy because he wants that fourth spot.”
Tottenham now have their Champions League destiny in their own hands. Jordan believes that Liverpool’s 7-0 thrashing of Erik ten Hag’s side was a classic example of papering over the cracks. Cracks which were once again exposed by an energetic and intense AFC Bournemouth outfit.
“I thought (the 7-0) was a moment in time, and we would again see Liverpool start to wobble,” Jordan adds. “I don’t think they are anywhere near the ‘mentality monsters’ that Klopp had referred to and now probably wishes he hadn’t.”
Martin Keown, meanwhile, wonders if Klopp made a mistake starting teenage duo Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic in the midfield during that Bournemouth reverse.
“You look at the two young kids playing alongside Fabinho. When you go away, you have to be aware of what you’re walking into,” the former Arsenal defender tells talkSPORT.
“They never seemed to get into the game. I don’t think Klopp knows what he’s going to get from this group.
“With young players, there is a learning curve. I remember from my career turning up and being really surprised by the atmosphere at certain stadiums. I think there is a bit of that with this group. But there should be enough experience to win at any stadium with what they’ve got.”
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