0% ace struggles as Liverpool embarrass Tottenham, Gary Neville laughed at what he did

Fraser Forster has endured a challenging week in goal for Tottenham, with back-to-back performances that have left much to be desired.

Ange Postecoglou’s decision to field a makeshift defensive lineup against Liverpool appeared to backfire spectacularly as Spurs suffered a humbling 6-3 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22.

While injuries to key defenders have left Tottenham’s backline vulnerable, the players available were expected to perform better. Instead, the entire defensive unit struggled, leaving fans and pundits questioning the team’s resilience and organization.

Liverpool capitalized on Tottenham’s defensive frailties, with Arne Slot’s side ruthlessly exploiting gaps and errors to score six times in one of the season’s wildest encounters.

Forster, who was already under scrutiny following a shaky display in the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United, found himself in the spotlight again.

While the veteran goalkeeper made some important saves during the match, his performance was marred by moments of uncertainty and costly mistakes that contributed to the team’s downfall.

One such moment came early in the game when Forster’s misplaced pass gifted possession to Mohamed Salah, drawing a wry comment from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

During live commentary, Neville remarked, “You have to laugh as that wouldn’t be my first pass as a goalkeeper after what happened on Thursday evening.” The reference highlighted Forster’s repeated struggles with distribution, an area of his game that has drawn increasing criticism.

Against Liverpool, Forster’s statistics painted a mixed picture. According to Sofascore, he made six saves, including two from inside the box, but his overall performance fell short of expectations.

He registered a negative goal-prevention figure of -2.23, reflecting his inability to stop shots he was expected to save. Additionally, he made an error that directly led to a shot on goal, further undermining his efforts to instill confidence in Tottenham’s defensive setup.

While his passing accuracy was commendable at 85%, and he completed four accurate long balls, these positives were overshadowed by his struggles in ground duels, where he failed to win any contested challenges and was even dribbled past once.

The defeat to Liverpool followed a chaotic 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup just days earlier. In that match, Forster also faced criticism for his erratic performance, despite Spurs managing to edge out their opponents.

The 36-year-old would have hoped for a quieter and more composed outing against Liverpool to rebuild his confidence. Instead, the match turned into another tumultuous affair, with Tottenham’s defense and goalkeeping once again coming under intense scrutiny.

As Tottenham’s backup goalkeeper, Forster finds himself thrust into the spotlight due to the absence of first-choice shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario, who remains sidelined with an injury. While Forster has stepped in during a challenging period for the team, his performances have highlighted the need for greater consistency and reliability in goal. Ange Postecoglou will undoubtedly be analyzing these recent displays closely as he seeks solutions to stabilize the team’s defensive structure.

The chaos of the Liverpool match also underscored broader issues within Tottenham’s defensive setup. The absence of key players has exposed a lack of depth and cohesion in the backline, putting additional pressure on Forster and his teammates.

Postecoglou’s high-intensity style of play demands not only technical proficiency but also mental sharpness, attributes that were noticeably lacking against Liverpool.

For Forster, the immediate focus will be on regaining composure and delivering more assured performances in the games ahead. While his experience as a seasoned professional provides some reassurance, Tottenham’s ambitions require a goalkeeper capable of excelling under pressure and consistently performing at a high level.

The January transfer window could present an opportunity for the club to strengthen the squad, potentially adding reinforcements to the goalkeeping department to ensure greater competition and reliability.

Postecoglou, known for his meticulous approach to management, will be eager to address the defensive shortcomings that have plagued his team in recent outings. Whether through tactical adjustments, personnel changes, or targeted signings, the Tottenham boss will need to find solutions to prevent further collapses like the one witnessed against Liverpool. For Forster, this period represents a crucial test of his resilience and ability to rise to the occasion when called upon.

While the defeats and shaky performances may serve as a wake-up call, Tottenham still have the potential to bounce back and maintain their push for success this season. Forster’s role in that recovery will depend on his ability to learn from recent mistakes and deliver the consistency required at this level.

As the team regroups and refocuses, the spotlight will remain firmly on the goalkeeper and the defensive unit as they work to restore stability and confidence moving forward.