Tottenham Hotspur fans were full of opinions after Sunday’s epic 2-2 draw against Liverpool and took to Twitter to express them in the game’s aftermath.
While there were plenty of positive thoughts given the nature of the side’s fight back from a goal down on two occasions, Spurs criticism was aimed at Eric Dier.
The Tottenham central midfielder has guilty of a loose pass to gift Mo Salah the Liverpool opener and looked off the boil for the visitors.
This performance was in sharp contrast to the all-action performance Dier put in against Manchester United in midweek, where he and Mousa Dembele dominated the midfield encounters.
Despite this, the Tottenham fans took to Twitter to criticise the England international after the final whistle.
A day to forget for dier and davidson , dier had 1 of his cant be arsed games and the youngster can do with toby coming back , subs had effect for a change , alli has to cut that out his game … nomads next ! #coys #thfc
— cokeacola (@cokeacola64) February 5, 2018
For me Eric Dier makes too many crucial mistakes, that was a gift for Salah #coys #THFC #MOTD2
— Khalid (@djkh6lid) February 4, 2018
Dier had his best spell playing as DM, and when the full backs went forward he dropped deeper to make a back 3. Nowadays he doesn't drop into the back line, plays as a proper DM. As a result, quite often he is facing his own goal which is when his mistakes happen… #COYS
— Anthony Griggs THFC (@AntGriggsTHFC) February 4, 2018
Dier and Sanchez, very, very poor. Play Wanyama and Demebele together with Toby next to the best centre half in premier league, superjan. #COYS #THFC
— Gary Lumley (@Lummers89) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/SWilson94/status/960258655873531904
If Wanyama is fit he need to be brought back in to replace Dier against Arsenal, Lamela is looking back to his old self, much better/quicker at picking a pass then Alli #THFC #COYS
— Darren Morgan (@DarrenMorganInc) February 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/LoneSpur1882/status/960234206231252992
https://twitter.com/thorpe1996/status/960231168900780032
https://twitter.com/daretoboss/status/960229233577594880
Big Vic needs to be starting next week and Dier needs dropping! Don't think Dembele can play 2 in a week
— Nick (@NickDR90) February 4, 2018
Great nerve from Harry to score the 2nd pen , Don't like to be negative but Dier was awful.#THFC
— John Oconnor (@aussierules13) February 4, 2018
I did say that we should have @VictorWanyama playing. He’s proven me right. Think Dier was terrible today and needs a rest. #COYS #THFC https://t.co/cDAmPjQiU5
— Tahir Iqbal (@Tahir_E17) February 4, 2018
There are a number of points to consider.
Firstly, Tottenham play the ball out from the back under Mauricio Pochettino – he demands his players be brave in possession, even under duress.
Liverpool are one of the best teams in the division at pressing the opposition and as such mistakes can happen – it is part and parcel of the Spurs manager’s ploy.
Dier’s error for Salah’s goal was unfortunate and unlucky, with criticism over his role in it slightly harsh in my opinion.
However, the fact that the former Sporting Lisbon man has made a number of high-profile mistakes in big games must be a concern – and something for Pochettino to address.
Dier is one of the Tottenham manager’s favourites and plays almost every game for the side, with his versatility clearly a real attribute for the club.
However, this surely must take its toll physically and with Victor Wanyama fit and ready to play again, there is certainly an argument that Dier could be taken out of the firing line.
With Arsenal to play at Wembley this weekend, Pochettino has some tough selection decisions to make, with his starting XI choice in the centre of midfield sure to have a major impact on the outcome.