Tottenham Hotspur endured a brutal night at Anfield, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
With the Reds securing a dominant 4-1 aggregate win and booking their place at Wembley, Spurs were left to reflect on yet another disappointing performance.
The North London side looked out of sorts throughout the match, struggling to create chances and failing to register a single shot on target.
Their attacking line seemed disconnected, and the absence of leadership on the pitch was glaring.
Son Heung-min Faces Harsh Criticism
One player who found himself under the spotlight after the match was Tottenham captain Son Heung-min.
The South Korean star, who has been struggling to hit his usual heights this season, barely made an impact in the game.
His lackluster display led to strong criticism from former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp did not hold back in questioning Son’s suitability as captain.
“The message has to come from the players as well.
It was coming wave after wave. That’s where you go from.
The players have to take some responsibility,” he said.
“Son, I don’t see him as a captain, I have never seen him lead.
What does he bring you when you are struggling?” Redknapp continued, suggesting that Tottenham’s well-documented lack of a winning mentality is a persistent issue that even their captain has been unable to address.
A Difficult Season for Tottenham’s Skipper
Son took over the captain’s armband last season after Hugo Lloris departed for LAFC, but his tenure as Spurs’ leader has coincided with a tough period for the club.
Currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table, Tottenham have failed to establish themselves as serious contenders under Ange Postecoglou this season.
Individually, Son has also had an underwhelming campaign, managing just seven goals in 21 league appearances.
While his work ethic remains unquestionable, his ability to rally the team and inspire performances has come under serious doubt.
Redknapp and Carragher Slam Tottenham’s Mentality
Redknapp wasn’t the only pundit to criticize Tottenham’s display.
Alongside him, Jamie Carragher echoed similar sentiments, pointing out the team’s lack of fight and leadership.
“Liverpool’s performance was outstanding, they set the tempo from the start,” Redknapp said.
“But from Tottenham’s perspective, I cannot remember a team going down with less of a fight than they did today.”
Carragher then took aim at Tottenham’s history of underperforming in big matches.
“It was never in doubt before the game.
When do Tottenham ever win a big game and surprise people? The odds were always in Liverpool’s favor,” he said.
Reflecting on Spurs’ past, Carragher suggested that the last time they pulled off a major upset was their dramatic Champions League comeback against Ajax in 2019.
“Even then, they were lucky. They were battered for most of that game. Whenever they go into big games, you never think they’re going to win.”
What’s Next for Spurs and Son?
With another opportunity for silverware slipping away, the pressure is mounting on Tottenham to turn things around.
The club’s struggles this season have reignited debates over their leadership, mentality, and ability to compete at the highest level.
As for Son, his credentials as a captain will continue to be scrutinized.
While he remains one of Tottenham’s most talented and experienced players, questions linger about whether he has the right qualities to lead a team desperate to shed its reputation as perennial underachievers.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn