Tottenham Hotspur’s shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario opened up after his side’s recent loss to Liverpool, admitting that Tottenham had misjudged who posed the greatest danger from the Reds.
Speaking candidly in his post-match comments, Vicario revealed that Spurs had planned to put extra focus on Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike, believing the French attacker was the main menace. However, that strategy backfired — because it neglected Ryan Gravenberch, whose movement and control in midfield repeatedly caused problems for the home side’s defensive shape.
Vicario explained that the decision to key in on Ekitike was made with good intentions, given how dangerous he can be in front of goal. But in doing so, Spurs defenders left open spaces in central areas that Gravenberch exploited with intelligent passing, ball progression, and positional awareness — turning him into Liverpool’s real threat on the night.
Liverpool’s tactical fluidity was another factor. Rather than relying solely on their attacking stars, Arne Slot’s system allows midfielders like Gravenberch to receive the ball in dangerous pockets and drive play — something Spurs struggled to counter once they committed resources elsewhere.
The honesty in Vicario’s remarks has sparked plenty of conversation among fans and analysts, with many noting that his assessment confirmed what many watchers saw: Liverpool’s midfield control was key to their success, particularly when Ekitike wasn’t the primary outlet.
Even though Vicario’s side didn’t get the result they wanted, his acknowledgment of Liverpool’s midfield contribution offers a revealing tactical takeaway from the match — and a reminder that sometimes danger isn’t where it looks like it should be.
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