Pochettino: Liverpool are ‘counter-attacking’ side

Sarah Winterburn

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed suggestions that his side play in a similar ‘pressing’ style to Liverpool.

Ahead of the two clubs meeting at White Hart Lane on Saturday, the Spurs manager suggested that their opposition relies more on pace.

Liverpool have enjoyed more possession than Tottenham in their opening two games – somehow contriving to lose to Burnley despite having 81% of the ball – but they beat Arsenal on the opening day with bursts of pace.

“It will be very tough,” Pochettino said. “I remember last season, Klopp’s first game in charge and it was tough.

“They like to play on the counter-attack, they are fast, have good organisation, and they are different to us. We like to manage the ball. We are a very different team with a different philosophy.

“Liverpool are very comfortable playing deeper and running fast,” he said. “You could see in the game against Barcelona at Wembley, 4-0 for them. They wait and when they recover the ball, players like Adam Lallana, Divock Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Sadio Mane, they are very fast. They like to play in this style.

“I think we are very different, but I don’t know. Maybe in the end we are the same.”