Tottenham Hotspur 0 Liverpool 5: Andre Villas-Boas takes 'responsibility for the failure' after second defeat of the season

Manager oversaw Spurs' worst home defeat in 16 years

Tottenham's manager Andre Villas-Boas puts his arms out in frustration on Sunday (AP)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas claimed responsibility for Spurs' 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and said that the club's ambition of qualifying for the Champions League this season is still the same.

It was the north London side's worst home defeat in 16 years, since a 6-1 defeat by Chelsea in December 1997, and while Tottenham have impressed in other competitions this season, Villas-Boas admitted that things are not going right int he Premier League, with the team in seventh place, five points off fourth place.

"I assume responsibility of the failure," the Portuguese said. "We have to bounce back again. Things are not going as expected in the Premier League. It is normal there is frustration there for everyone."

Asked by Sky Sports about his position as Spurs manager, Villas-Boas responded: "Regarding my position, it is not for me to decide. I can only work to make things better. Today was not to be because Liverpool had a great, great game. They deserve credit."

Tottenham have reached the quarter-final of the League Cup, and will be in the draw for the Last 32 of the Europa League tomorrow, and Villas-Boas wants to be judged on Spurs performances in all competitions this season.

"I don't need to convince anyone. Our run is magnificent in the other competitions but not in the Premier League. Our form in the Premier League is not there, our ambition to win trophies is the same and to qualify for the Champions League is the same."