The duo believe a young Spurs side should be proud of their efforts despite losing to Liverpool 2-1 in the EFL Cup.
Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge in action with Tottenham’s Michel Vorm
Tottenham Hotspur pair Michel Vorm and Eric Dier have praised the performance of Spurs’ young players, after speaking to the club’s official website in the aftermath of their defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
Mauricio Pochettino fielded a second-string side for the EFL Cup tie at Anfield which included academy graduates Harry Winks, Cameron Carter-Vickers and semi-regular Joshua Onomah in the starting line-up.
However, it was the more experienced head of Daniel Sturridge that proved Tottenham’s undoing, as two goals either side of half time gave Liverpool victory and a place in the quarter final.
Vincent Janssen’s penalty provided a late scare for the hosts and substitute Shayon Harrison had a glorious chance to equalise when through on goal but couldn’t control Erik Lamela’s ball in a frustrating climax for Spurs.
Tottenham’s Shayon Harrison in action with Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet
But despite the result, Vorm believes the youngsters on show can take heart from their performance which will stand them in good stead for the future.
“I was 100 per cent proud of them and that’s also what I said to the boys in the dressing room as well,” he said. “If you see the atmosphere before the game, it was unbelievable.
“I’ve played here a few times already but it always impresses me and so imagine what it’s like if you’re that young and you’re here for the first time.
“I think it’s something they can take with them and if you want to be a better player you have to play these kinds of games and learn from it.”
Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action with Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno
Defeat makes it four matches without a win for Tottenham with tricky fixtures of Leicester City, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal to come in what’s a worrying spell of form for Pochettino.
The youngsters may have shown glimpses of potential, but it was the likes of Kevin Wimmer and Tom Carroll that let Spurs down on Tuesday night with neither showing why they should earn a recall for the Premier League game against Leicester this Saturday.
Eric Dier, who captained the side, was one of his side’s better senior performers as they will be disappointed at exiting a competition they had a great chance of winning, but also praised the impact of Spurs’ youngsters who gave a good account of themselves in an intimidating venue.
“All the youngsters did very well tonight. It’s a great test to come and play here at Anfield – it’s one of the biggest stadiums in the country with a lot of history so if you can handle yourself here then you can handle yourself anywhere really.
“It’s a great test for them and a great moment for them to play here so hopefully they can build on that. We’re disappointed that we’ve been knocked out but now you forget about it and move on.”
Liverpool’s Oviemuno Ejaria in action with Tottenham’s Eric Dier
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