Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham 'need to improve a lot' after Liverpool defeat

The Argentine also refused to get into any discussion over whether Harry Kane or any of his other players look tired from the World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham should have been handed a penalty (Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino put Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Liverpool down to errors at “key moments” rather than any greater failing, but admitted that his side “need to improve a lot”.

The Argentine did feel that Spurs should have had a penalty for a foul on Heung-Min Son right at the end, but couldn’t complain about the result and a performance that “wasn’t great”, as he also refused to get into any discussion over whether Harry Kane or any of his other players look tired from the World Cup.

“I think the performance wasn’t great,” Pochettino said. “If we analyse the first five games the performance was similar.

“When you make mistakes against Liverpool, one of the best teams in Europe, you will be punished. If you analyse the game, the key moments - the goal we concede - the first half was even.

“I think Lucas Moura was the key moment to get the confidence the team needs. When Liverpool scored they have a lot of pace in front.

“In the end, I think it was clearly a penalty for Son against [Sadio] Mane. We would be talking in a different way, about character and personality.

“So thin the line when you win and when you lose. It’s why you need to show more consistency. The team needs to work more… We need to improve a lot.”

Asked about another tired-looking display from Kane, Pochettino said: “I think I respect every single opinion but for me it is a collective problem. I am not going to put the finger in some player. The challenge is massive. We need to give time.

“I don’t want now to complain about the World Cup.”