Redknapp: This Tottenham player should be pestering Pochettino
By Harry Sykes
Jamie Redknapp has urged Danny Rose to pester Mauricio Pochettino in to being awarded a new Tottenham contract – just months after his last one.
The England international signed a new five-year contract last September that runs until 2021 as Spurs tied most of their senior players to long-term deals.
But Redknapp is convinced that Rose, 26, is so integral to Tottenham’s style of play that he should push for a new deal.
The left-back was absent for a second consecutive match on Saturday with a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of February.
Wales international Ben Davies stepped in for Rose on the left side of defence but had a miserable match at Anfield as Liverpool blew Tottenham away with an inspired attacking display spearheaded by Sadio Mane.
The Senegal international ran Davies ragged with his pace and mobility, scoring two first-half goals in the 2-0 win as the Merseysiders placed a dent in Spurs’ title hopes.
“Tottenham’s defeat at Anfield highlighted the importance of Danny Rose,” wrote Redknapp in his weekly Mail column. “As soon as I saw Tottenham’s back four I knew they would struggle against Sadio Mane — particularly Ben Davies filling in for the injured Rose at left back.
“Rose would have matched pace with pace and dealt with Mane, as he did when Liverpool travelled to White Hart Lane.
“Mane drew a blank at the Lane but scored twice at Anfield and Jurgen Klopp deserves credit for identifying and exploiting this weakness in Tottenham’s defence.
“Spurs are not the same side without Rose and if I was his agent, I would be pestering Mauricio Pochettino for a new contract.”
Liverpool’s win on Saturday mean they climb to fourth in the Premier League table and to within one point of Tottenham, who are second.
Chelsea blew the chance to pull 12 points clear on Sunday when they drew 1-1 at Burnley, which leaves Antonio Conte’s side with a 10-point lead over their London rivals.
In other Tottenham news, a £38.5million ace has held talks with Spurs and held a meeting with Pochettino at the club’s training headquarters.