Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino reiterates praise for officials following Liverpool draw

By Declan Olley

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes the officials at Anfield were brave and right to award Spurs' two penalties in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has described Jon Moss and assistant Eddie Smart as "brave" and "right" for awarding two "clear" penalties in the draw at Liverpool.

Referee Moss came under fire over his handling of Tottenham's first spot-kick after he appeared unsure whether the ball had touched Dejan Lovren before reaching Harry Kane, who would have been offside had it not.

There was also controversy over Spurs' second penalty with Virgil van Dijk, who was penalised for a challenge on Erik Lamela, critical about the decision and the Argentine's reaction to his tackle.

But Pochettino has reiterated his praise for the officials and feels both decisions were "clear".

Image: Jon Moss consults with assistant referee Eddie Smart over the first penalty decision

He said: "I think everyone can see both situations that the referee and assistant were right. I think in both cases they were right.

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"When the rule was settled it was difficult to understand. When the ball is going to Harry, he is offside. But when the rule changed you need to accept the rule change - if you want to play the ball and you touch the ball, it's onside and it's not offside.

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"I think it's clear - Lovren touched the ball, he's [Kane] onside and then Van Dijk kicked Lamela, it's a penalty.

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Image: Virgil van Dijk's challenge on Erik Lamela saw Spurs win their second spot-kick and eventual equaliser

"If you watch the action it's so clear. The referee's so brave and so right. I'm happy because the decision was for us, they were good and they were right."

Kane's 100th Premier League strike, which salvaged a point for Tottenham, saw him become the second-fastest player to reach the milestone behind Alan Shearer.

On Monday Night Football, special guest Wayne Rooney said Kane may look to leave Tottenham if they do not win a trophy in the next two years but Pochettino refused to be drawn on the 24-year-old's ambitions.

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"I was at Watford watching the game live so I didn't hear him [Rooney]," said Pochettino. "I didn't hear nothing and I didn't listen to him.

"I cannot give my opinion about that - only I know that I agree with him that Harry Kane is one of the best strikers.

"Of course Harry wants to win titles, wants to score goals but I cannot say nothing more about this.

"That is a question [of whether he wants to win trophies] for him. It's not for me.

"Harry's so happy here, he loves Tottenham but this is a personal question - what he thinks, how he feels. I cannot answer for him."

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