Gary Neville: Tottenham should ‘set up direct debit to fans’ after collapse against Liverpool

Gary Neville has suggested Tottenham’s players should ‘set up a direct debit’ to their fans after they went 3-0 down within 15 minutes against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, before claiming the ‘joy has been sapped out of the club’.

After fighting back to draw 3-3 with a 93rd-minute Richarlison equaliser, substitute Lucas Moura made a poor mistake to allow Reds forward Diogo Jota to net a 94th-minute winner, imploding once again as they fell to a dramatic 4-3 loss.

It comes after Spurs suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend, a game in which they went five goals down within 21 minutes, before salvaging a 2-2 draw against Manchester United after going 2-0 down on Thursday.

The London club released a statement in mid-week suggesting that they would reimburse fans who travelled to St James’ Park for their tickets, but after conceding a trio of goals today in quick succession, the former United defender suggested they may need to go one step further as some away fans left the Anfield terraces. 

‘They were leaving after 20 mins last week. Some of them are leaving after 15 this week,’ Neville said on Sky Sports. Martin Tyler responded: ‘They were of course offered refunds from their trip to Newcastle. Even from the players themselves.’ But Neville said: You may as well set up a direct debit to the fans!’ 

Neville also claimed that the ‘joy had been sapped out of the club’ following their dismal start

Curtis Jones, Luiz Diaz and Mohamed Salah all scored in a fast start at Anfield early on

Curtis Jones, Luiz Diaz and Mohamed Salah all scored in a fast start at Anfield to leave Spurs 3-0 down within 15 minutes. 

‘What we are watching here? Four or five years ago Spurs were a pressing team,’ Neville said.

‘They’ve been turned into a team that sits behind the ball over the last four or five years by three consecutive managers that play more reactive football than proactive football.

‘That’s the major thing I think they’ve got to do in the summer, they’ve got to go back to a more progressive coach, which they did have under Mauricio Pochettino, they did under Harry Redknapp. They had managers who always felt that the glass was half full with personality and character in the team. 

‘I have to say over the last few years the joy has been sapped out of watching Spurs, because they sit back in their shape. 

‘It’s a way of winning football matches that’s gone. This football doesn’t exist any more. You might do it the odd game, but this 5-4-1 shape bores the absolute… I’m not going to say it. Look at them, they’re disinterested. They’ve got no idea how to press. There’s no trigger.’

Neville also criticised their two centre backs for a very clumsy error that allowed Salah the chance to convert Liverpool’s third goal from the spot. 

Cristian Romero conceded the penalty after his terrible challenge on Cody Gakpo inside the box and Neville criticised both him and Eric Dier for their performances early on.

‘You’d have to go a long way to find two defenders to see two defenders who have had as bad a week as Eric Dier and Romero – they are all over the place.

‘Absolute shambles they are at the back. The lack of composure from Romero is staggering and the choice of charging out by Dier with his experience… He’s done it two, three times in this game already. He shakes his head.’

But Tottenham rallied late in the first half with Harry Kane pulling one back with a well-taken volley from an excellent cross from Ivan Perisic.

Son would also just stay onside to beat the Liverpool offside trap, controlling the ball with a stunning touch before striking past Alison with a lovely low shot to get another back for Tottenham, on the 77th minute. Richarlison then headed home from a free-kick in the 93rd minute before Jota’s last-gasp intervention.

It comes after Spurs conceded five goals within 21 minutes last weekend against Newcastle

Mohamed Salah converted from the spot to give his side the lead, but Harry Kane would hit back before the break to make it 3-1 

Ryan Mason’s side bounced back though, with Harry Kane netting just before half-time

Son Heung-min would also bring the score back to 3-2, and Richarlison would equalise after

But a mistake by Lucas Moura (right) would gift Liverpool a winner in the 94th minute 

Diogo Jota (right) scored a last-gasp winner to end the match 4-3 in dramatic circumstances

Liverpool showed a bit of complacency towards the end of the first half, as Tottenham came back with Son also testing goalkeeper Alisson. 

Speaking on Spurs’ league position above today’s opponents, Neville was aghast claiming it was ‘unbelievable’ how they are still so high up the table. 

‘It’s unbelievable,’ he continued. ‘They’re [Tottenham] still fifth in the league. It’s almost like this season they’ve grabbed defeat, I wouldn’t say victory, but it feels like that.

‘I couldn’t believe the negativity and boos around the place [White Hart Lane] in January. 

‘They’re in the Champions League, they’re third in the league and they’re still in cups. You’re thinking “what’s going on?”‘