Antonio Conte has received praise and support following Tottenham’s tough 1-1 draw with Liverpool yesterday, a result that frustrated Jurgen Klopp.
The North London side took the lead in the 56th minute after Song Heung-min finished off a nice counter attacking move, but their advantage was short lived as Luis Diaz clawed one back for the home side in the 74th minute. The result was painful for Klopp and his team, who now have given Manchester City the chance to take a commanding lead in the Premier League title race.
Klopp expressed his frustration at Conte’s defensive playstyle when speaking to the press after the game. “For all the praise for Tottenham, a world class opponent, they won against City. The game play works for these games but they are still fifth and for everything they were time wasting, it makes not easier, it’s smart but not easy.” He later stated: “‘I am sorry, I am the wrong person to ask about because I don’t like this kind of football.”
Despite Klopp’s annoyance, many have come out in support of Conte and his tactics, praising his work turning around the North London outfit and highlighting that he did what was required to grind out a result against the title hopefuls. Spurs are still involved in the race for the top four and securing that would be a strong end to his first season with the club.
Antonio Conte is very good.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 7, 2022
Shame on Antonio Conte for not just setting up his team to lose and roll over for Liverpool to claim a straight forward win
— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) May 8, 2022
I’m seeing bitterness towards Conte’s tactics but he came to the home of arguably the most in-form team in world football and limited them to creating 0 big chances and was a deflection/accurate PEH header away from winning with a much inferior team. That’s elite level coaching.
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) May 7, 2022
Another reminder of what a good job Antonio Conte is doing at #thfc. So well organised. Strengthen in the summer, keep Kane, then drill players further pre-season, and build again. #LIVTOT
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 7, 2022
Spurs well worth their point at Anfield tonight. Unbeaten v top two this season. They badly need to hold on to Antonio Conte next season.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) May 7, 2022
I was in the tunnel at full time and a lot of the spurs players looked really disappointed to have drawn, I think that shows how far Conte has brought this team, they are starting to show that winning mentality and high standards #Spurs
— Jamie Ohara (@Mrjamieohara1) May 7, 2022
The fact I’m gutted with a point at Anfield after that performance shows just what an elite manager Conte is! How many fouls did Fabinho get away with by the way? 🤣🤦♂️ Great game!#Conte #LIVTOT
— Adam Smithy (@AdamJSmithy) May 7, 2022
But this was a gameplan built for this match and almost brought all three points. In Conte's 25 PL matches with Spurs, they've scored 51 goals (3rd highest in PL), just 7 less than Liverpool and 13 more than United. Surely being tactically adaptable is a good fit for anyone?
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) May 8, 2022