Jose Mourinho backs Joe Rodon and details frank half-time exchanges

Jose Mourinho endured a roller coaster night as Tottenham went down to Liverpool in north London.

The Reds claimed all three points as they rediscovered their mojo, but Mourinho was left with plenty to ponder.

Tottenham failed to take advantage of their opponent's injuries which meant a makeshift back four was again in place.

The Special One bemoaned their own defending in the defeat claiming "it's a performance totally affected by defensive individual mistakes."

Yet a young defender in Joe Rodon was a bright spark for Mourinho, despite the Welshman's error allowing Sadio Mane to smash home Liverpool's third and final goal.

The Tottenham boss has several centre-halves to choose from, but has already said that Rodon will play against Brighton.

He said: "Next game he plays for sure. Showed good personality. Went for duels, not a coward for going for every duel even against the players they have.

"Played very very well and made just one mistake. For me if I have a player that makes only one mistake in a very good performance then we have to support him."

Mourinho was far from happy at half-time however with Roberto Firmino's strike in first-half stoppage time opening the scoring.

The Tottenham boss' feelings were clear to see on the touchline and he admits there was an atmosphere in the dressing room.

He added: "It's the mood of a team that it's difficult to accept you're losing and the nature of the goal because it's a replica of the chance in the first minute.

"It's a mood with people not happy. But we have to move and Harry injury and we need to do something. Then unlucky that we concede immediately."

Tottenham are four points off fourth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

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