Ange laughs off criticism of attacking tactics | Will Trent remain with Liverpool? | Fury set for Usyk rematch
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Welcome to Back Pages, bringing you everything you need to know about the biggest sports stories making the headlines in the morning's newspapers. I'm Mark McQuillan and joining me are Mark Ogden from ESPN and the males, Ihsan Khan. Hello and welcome to you both.

Well, let's now start with the star and concentrate on Tottenham's style of play. Plenty of debate on it after their victory in the EFL Cup over Manchester United on Thursday night. Mark, we can start with you on this one. I'm not the Messiah, says Ange Postacoglu. He said he's not entertained after that win over Manchester United, didn't he? It was an entertaining interview from him. What did you make of that and indeed the debate that has continued following the game?

Yeah, listen, it was definitely an entertaining game, one of the best we've seen all season, but it was also quite edgy as well. I think you saw Ange Postakoglu's

facial reaction during the final five or ten minutes he looked really worried you know I think the Tottenham fans were quite concerned as well that they could blow a three-nil lead and end up you know being hauled back by Man United to take the game to penalties so yes they got through they got through to the semi-finals which is a big thing for Tottenham they you know they're theoretically two wins from winning a major trophy so that's the good news but you know his style of play does create debate because it leaves Tottenham wide open you know most teams at three and up would just close the game off and

and kill it off and get through to the next round. So on one hand, Spurs fans will enjoy the fact that Tottenham are playing attacking football, scoring lots of goals, but they concede way too many. And we have the situation with Fraser Forster trying to play up from the back and that didn't actually work as well as he would have planned and he would have intended. So, look, I can see why the debate is there. I think Postacoglu probably needs to add some more defensive stability to his team. That isn't his style.

You could argue that managing Celtic in Scotland, it's a little bit easy to play that way, to dominate teams because you're not getting the same quality against you as you are in the Premier League. But Andrew isn't going to change. He said that and he's made it clear 101 times. But I do think that if he continues like this, he will end up being to the detriment because as good as Tottenham were going forward last night, I think against Liverpool in the semi-final over two legs, they're going to find it very, very difficult to get past that team, that great team that Arnie Slott's built at Liverpool this season, if they don't defend better.

Well, the Tottenham boss is also on the back of the mirror. Gung-ho-ho. Ange laughs off criticism of his attacking tactics at Tottenham. And I guess, Isan, with a victory like the one they had against Manchester United, no problem over style as long as Tottenham are winning. Yeah, they have that impetus there. And from an attacking point of view, they've always got goals in them, which will be the positive Ange will take, and I'm sure the fans will take from the recent performance. It's very up and down, so...

He has that exciting element to it, but of course, as Mark says, the defensive frailties keep coming back to the fore. And as long as that's there, there'll always be that space where opponents can get out of spurs and find ways to overcome them. From a neutral point of view, of course, it's a very exciting brand of football and the unpredictability makes them unmissable to watch.

But until they're able to sort their defensive frailties out, no matter how many goals they can score in a single game, the question marks are always going to be there at the end of the day. Mark, let's stay with Ange Postakoglu because he actually mentioned this in his news conference and it features on the back of the mail as well, involving his accent and paying a bit of attention

comment to that. What do you make of that? That potentially there are people scrutinising him because he's originally from Australia. As you mentioned, he's managed in Scotland. Do you think that scrutiny is becoming a bit personal?

I'd say that's a load of rubbish, to be honest. I don't want to, you know, I'm just going to be blunt about that. I don't think anybody that I've heard of has mentioned Ange Postacoglu's accent or his Australian background. I mean, look, the Premier League is an absolutely multinational league. It's cosmopolitan. And some of the best stars of the Premier League era, you know,

Harry Kuehl, Mark Viduka, Mark Bosnich, Mark Swartz, Australian internationals, great players. So this idea that because he's Australian, he's got an Australian accent, it makes a difference on how he's perceived, is just nonsense. You know, it's about the way he plays his football, his tactics. And, you know, more often than not, Spurs get results because that's why they're a team that is challenging for the Carabao Cup. And they were, you know, a top, you know, top six, seven finish last season. But to suggest that...

he's being talked down because he's Australian I just don't know where that's coming from I really don't whether it's some you know Australian English rivalry that's coming out for Manchester I don't know but I have not heard anybody suggest that his accent or his background or his nationality has got anything to do with how he's perceived I just think that you know the perception of a manager is based on his performances and his results and his style of play not anything to do with his accent

It's interesting you say that, Mark. It's actually a headline in The Times as well, Poster Coglou, silly accent makes me an easy target. Let's now concentrate on who will be in the opposite dugout at the weekend, Isan, in Arna Slot and Liverpool. And Arna Slot's really been glowing in his praise for Ange Poster Coglou and the way he approaches the game, hasn't he?

Yeah, he has. And you can remember from a couple of years ago when Arnie Slott himself was in contention for the Spurs job and how it's all turned out for him. He couldn't be happier. Started the league in an immense way, leading the table. Still in the early days, of course, and they've conceded a couple of goals in recent games. But they're flying at the moment and...

All the teams are, including Arsenal and the rest of the title contenders, they're all looking above at Liverpool, hoping to see if there's chinks in their armour going forward. Of course, with Canarte out there, that leaves a gap at the back, which teams will probably look to exploit going forward. And as I say, with the conceded goals in the last couple of games, there could be potential gaps.

for a potential slip-up coming up, but so far, so good. He had massive shoes to follow in the steps of Jurgen Klopp. To enter the English Premier League, which is one of the best leagues in the country, and hit the ground running straight from the off and in the way he has done, he deserves a man's credit for that. And, yeah, so far, so good for him.

Mark, just want to stay with Arna Slott because on the Express it says Spurs-Slott shot. That's the headline. Arna Slott revealed he was happy a potential Tottenham move did not come off. Of course, he's boss of Liverpool now. What do you make of that and in general the concept of biding your time for the job that you really want to go for? Because, of course, he stayed in the Dutch league at the time.

Yeah, it was a big call by Arne Slott at the time because generally when a coach from the Dutch league is offered a Premier League job, they take it because it is a step up. Feyenoord, I guess most teams in the top half of the Premier League would be a step up, even though Feyenoord are a great club with a great history, it is a step up. So for Arne Slott to resist Tottenham's approaches 18 months ago was a bold move on his part and he could have gone wrong. Had Jurgen Klopp not decided to leave Liverpool at the end of last season, who knows where Arne Slott would have been now. The Liverpool job may not have come up, but

You know, Waiton has certainly played his advantage because he's had an absolutely fantastic start at Liverpool. Many people thought that was the impossible job replacing Jürgen Klopp, but he's come in and he could actually take it to another level because, you know, Klopp won one Premier League, he won the Champions League, but there's every chance that Slot could win both this season. They are top of the Premier League, the top of the Champions League league table. He's turned Liverpool into a different side, but they've retained that attacking threat they had under Klopp, but they're just a little bit more solid now. So, you know, it's definitely a case of,

Liverpool's gain is Tottenham's loss but who knows if he'd gone to Tottenham whether he could have succeeded there because you know that a lot of managers a lot of top managers have gone to Tottenham found it difficult to succeed because of the way that the club is run because of the recruitment at times and again because as Ange Postek-Loggl has found out they want to play a certain way and if that way doesn't work then you're back to square one so I think Andy Slott has done a fantastic job at Liverpool and it's definitely a gain for Liverpool rather than Tottenham's loss I guess

Isan, let's stay with Liverpool, go to the Telegraph and Jamie Carragher's column. My instinct is Trent fancies a change. That is his prerogative, but it comes with a price. And Carragher goes on to discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold's potential legacy at Liverpool. Look, the longer this goes on and a new deal is not agreed, I guess it feels, does it, Isan, more likely that Alexander-Arnold will go?

Yeah, that's definitely the direction this feels like it's going towards. Arne Slott in his press conference today made an interesting comment that he obviously likes the fact that Trent's ambitious, but there's a cryptic reminder amongst Slott's press conference where he said it's obviously legacy's important, but it's also important to be a success as part of a team. And I'm sure with Trent, if

If it is the Ballon d'Or that he's looking to get in the future and that is his main goal and focus, then going to Madrid where there's been a plethora of Ballon d'Or winners, that could very much be the route for him. But I suppose what's slightly...

I'm sure is a consideration for him is the fact that he's from the Liverpool academy, he's from the area and surely that has to take something into account too because it's different when you're from when you have actually grown up at the club and you have that connection and the fans because of that they I'm sure they wouldn't that would make it worse for them as well if Trent was to leave so it's there's a lot of things I play there's pride there's money there's

Ultimately, it's up to Trent which path he chooses, but the local connection can't be forgotten about too. Mark, Jamie Carragher says in his column, "My instinct is Trent fancies a change." Do you agree with that? And if you think he will go, what do you think is his most likely destination?

Yeah, I think he's been pointing towards that for a long time. And I think Real Madrid, obviously Dani Carvajal's out for the season with a crucial ligament injury. And Dani Carvajal is obviously in his 30s now and his best days are behind him. So Trent Alexander-Arnold would seem to be a good fit for Real Madrid.

He has made a few comments, like Issan said, about winning the Ballon d'Or. That isn't really a comment you'd associate with a Liverpool player. That is a very kind of individual award and it's one that Real Madrid players seem to be obsessed by to the point where they boycott the ceremony when they don't win it. So I think the trend to Real Madrid is looking more likely than not. But I think one point that Jamie Carragher makes to his comments as well is about how he's handled because Steve McManaman made the same

decision 25 years ago now he ran down his contract at Liverpool in many ways he's not really been forgiven by the Liverpool fans for doing that now

it's seen as that the club that has given you a chance it's kind of given you a career you in many ways owe that club something by not going on a free transfer even if it's like go with six months to go on your contract so the club gets some sort of recompense for you know putting you to where you are in the game now you can look at that both ways you could say that Steve McManaman and Alexander-Arnold have repaid Liverpool with their performances with the trophies they've won but I think if Alexander-Arnold wants to leave Liverpool on a good note it has to be

it's to be honest with the fans you have to give them some clarity and say look this is my intentions don't leave it to the last minute don't leave it as a guessing game don't try and sneak out the back door basically just do it you know with the kind of respect that Liverpool fans give to their players give it back and I think

that we're getting to the point now it's January approaching next month you can talk to clubs abroad I just think at some point there needs to be a statement from from Trent to say I want to do this I want to do that and I think just just from the fans perspective rather than the club the fans you know Liverpool fans do put a lot behind their team they put a lot into the players especially local players

So I think it's just a case of now being honest and being clear with what your intentions are. The back of the sun, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, this big World Heavyweight Championship rematch. And the headline there, Tyson Fury, Brit's beard sparks hair-raising rules row. So this about Tyson Fury's beard, Oleksandr Usyk and his team not happy about the length of it. Have you heard anything like this before in boxing?

No, I can't recall such a bizarre thing to crop up before a fight, never mind days just before a blockbuster heavyweight clash like this. It ties into the theme in general in this past week and month before this fight where there's been various mind games, particularly from Fury's side, where he's called him ugly, criticised his gappy teeth, called him a rabbit, and whatever else he can to try and get into the head of Usyk.

Tyson Fury, for the whole of his career, from the very start, has always tried to get into the heads of his opponents. So it's no surprise here that Usyk and his team are trying their best to gain some mental edge. I can't see this being anything more than a tactic to get a mental edge. I find it hard to believe that Usyk's team are literally worried about the length of Tyson's beard. But

It's all good build-up and hype before what will be a compelling fight. It's one that's really hard to call. We've got Tyson there with the four-stone weight advantage and, of course, the height difference too. But the four-stone weight difference, again, you can't really look too much into that because both were fully clothed, so...

The four stone difference is unlikely to be the four stone as you'd expect. So, yeah, there's plenty of mind games going into this fight and there'll surely be more in the hours before the fight tomorrow. It should be compelling, as you said, Ehsan. And Mark, they also cover this story in The Times. No hiding place is the headline there.

really difficult to call according to a lot of experts. Mark, how do you see this fight going? Who do you think comes out on top? I still think Usyk's the favorite. I mean, obviously he's got the win under his belt from the last fight and he's undefeated.

The four stone weight difference is huge. It's a major advantage in Tyson Fury's favour. He's got the height as well. But I still think Usyk is a formidable fighter. He's got this determination that he's taken to where he is. And I think that the whole row with the beard as well, I think that may be mind games, but there are rules in place in boxing whereby you can only have a beard that is

you know stubble length I guess and the issue is that if it was a cut or if there's an injury underneath the beard that the medics or the referee can't actually see that the cut so it's a safety issue as well as as a kind of an aesthetic thing or just a mind games thing but you know we've seen great fighters in the past Roberto Gervan had beards so it's not it's not something that can't happen but I do think that the maybe case for Fury has to trim it a little bit because it is quite a long and bushy beard but yeah it's not going to play a major factor in the fight but I do think that

Usyk has the advantage because he's the champion he's beaten Tyson Fury already and I think Tyson Fury does tend to bounce back in rematches not lost prior to the Usyk fight but when he's had rematches in the past with Deontay Wilder he's tended to be the better fighter in the second fight so you have to give that advantage to Fury but I do think that Usyk is a different level I think Usyk is the champion and deservedly so so I think Usyk will win and maybe by a knockout

I'm not sure how often we've spoken about beards on back pages tonight, but it's certainly been an interesting debate. Just turning back to the football, Isan, and going to the eye, forget football is the headline there. Guardiola ordered players to rest after Derby, but a fresh injury blow with Ruben Diaz being out for a few weeks. I mean, it really is testing his mettle at the moment, isn't it? The run of form, but also the injuries, Isan. Absolutely. The back line was already...

at its lowest ebb, never mind having now Ruben Diaz out for at least a few weeks. And we've seen in the recent weeks the toll it's taken on Pep Guardiola with the scratches on his head and just his mental fatigue in press conferences, around matches. It's clearly...

taken a toll on him. He's not used to such a prolonged slump. We've seen in the past if he's lost a couple of games here and there, but to lose eight in your last 11 matches is pretty much unprecedented for him at Man City. It's all going wrong and

You'd expect with the Manchester derby just the other weekend, that was the perfect kind of match to bounce back in because of the bragging rights, being in Manchester and all the things that come around that kind of fixture. So to lose that, that was yet another...

hammer blow to Peppermint City and of course the Rodri situation in midfield hasn't helped it won't be inconceivable to see City go in the market from midfield and maybe like Martin Zibamendi at Real Sociedad Arsenal were after over the summer but something does need to change here and

At some stages, it's looking difficult to see where the next win will come for Man City. So it's a really peculiar time at the club. Yeah, the transfer speculation continues and that's what the Mail concentrate on. Pet fears rip off prices in January and the Mail saying that City could swoop for up to three players in next month's window. Mark, which sort of areas do you think they'll be looking to strengthen in particular?

Well, they need somebody in midfield. I mean, that's clear because obviously since Rodri's been injured, they haven't been able to replace him sufficiently. Ilkay Gundogan's 34, Kevin O'Brien's 33. So they need legs in midfield. And he sounds right. You know, Martin Zubimendi at Sociedad is a target. Priloghi Maresa at Newcastle. Two players that would make City better.

I think they need a forward as well. I think, you know, having let Erling Alvarez go to Atletico Madrid, they're missing a, you know, cover or support for Erling Haaland. So his goals have dried up recently, you know, comparatively when you talk about Haaland's form. I think they still have numbers at the back, but obviously I think they would do well to add another player there. So you're looking at three significant signings at least. Now, they've got the money to do that. They announced, you know, great transfer profit, I think about a week or two ago in their financial figures, but

signing players is going to be difficult because we know that City have got the 115 charges hanging over them they deny the charges but that hearing is now finished so waiting to hear what the verdict is if City are punished heavily which could be a huge fine or a point sanction or you know worst case demotion I'm not sure that'll happen but that these things are open to to the panel

If that's the case, signing for Man City in January, you need some sort of reassurance that you're not going to be playing in a division you don't want to play in, not going to be out of the Champions League next season. Yes, City have got money to sign players, but are they able to persuade players that the Etihad is the place for them to be considering the uncertainty around the club? That is going to be difficult.

Mark, just want to stay with you and the Express in Southampton's search for a new manager. Looks as if they're closing in on Ivan Juric, most recently in charge at Roma, sacked there after just 12 matches. It would be his first role outside Italy. Is this the right appointment for Southampton?

If I was a Southampton fan, I'd be a little bit worried, considering Juric's recent track record, like you said, two months at Roma, he spent all of his career in Italy. He's not a coach that would come here with credentials to say that he can get Southampton out of the Mesta ring. He's been a mid-ranking coach in Italy. He's not one of the rising names in the sport over there. He's 49 years old. He's not a young coach.

We do know that Southampton have got, I think it's a Serbian owner, so there's a kind of a connection to that part of the world. So whether it's just a contact from the past, an agent that he knows, but again, if I was a Southampton fan, I'd be a little bit concerned about having a coach that doesn't really have the track record you'd expect for a Premier League coach.