Tottenham fans let rip at ‘brutal’ Archie Gray decision
Tottenham Hotspur fans haven’t held back at the way Archie Gray’s performance against Liverpool was handled by Ange Postecoglou.
As Tottenham near the end of a season which has featured lows aplenty and very few highs, they had the chance to rain on Liverpool‘s Premier League parade and delay their confirmation of the title at Anfield.
Dominic Solanke‘s well-taken early header threatened to do just that, but Luis Diaz equalised just four minutes later and the champions-elect soon let loose on Guglielmo Vicario’s net to score another four.
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo added another two before half-time to put Liverpool on the brink of the title, and Mohamed Salah added the polish before an own-goal from Destiny Udogie made it 5-1.
Archie Gray thrown to the wolves in Liverpool v Tottenham
Gray has been one of very few success stories at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season and has looked assured in a variety of positions since his £40million move from Leeds United last summer.
Most of Gray’s appearances and all of his starts have come in Spurs’ injury-hit backline this term, but Postecoglou was finally able to start his £40m midfielder in midfield against the brand-new champions.
| Liverpool | Statistics | Tottenham |
| 5 | Goals | 1 |
| 2.14 | xG | 0.37 |
| 8 / 25 | Shots on Target | 3 / 8 |
| 63% | Possession | 37% |
| 8 | Corners | 2 |
However, the 19-year-old had a first half from hell and was one of two players at fault for Liverpool’s second goal; Gray was unable to reach a poor Mathys Tel pass and then failed to stop Ryan Gravenberch.
Gray was beaten all too easily by Gravenberch before he fouled the Dutchman on the edge of Spurs’ box, and then powerless to prevent Mac Allister’s piledriver from 20 yards which put Liverpool 2-1 in front.
Tottenham fans tear into Postecoglou for ‘lost’ Gray treatment
Postecoglou’s response to Gray‘s first-half display at the base of midfield was to hook the teenager at half-time, as Pape Sarr was brought on in an unsuccessful attempt to stem the flow of Liverpool goals.
The Australian’s decision to start Gray in the holding midfield for the first time this season – and against the runaway Premier League winners – didn’t sit will with Tottenham fans, and nor did his half-time axe.
Gray’s performances have endeared him to a downtrodded fanbase, and though some acknowledged that he was “struggling big time” in midfield, few could argue that Postecoglou‘s decision at the break was nothing short of “brutal”.
I know we are playing the best in the league but you cant deny Archie Gray looks lost..
— Jack Dingwall (@JackDingwall) April 27, 2025
Maybe the man who watches him all week knows more than us fans 🤷🏻♂️
Archie Gray will now come under unfair criticism because, you’re as good as your last game.
— Chef. Sarrpreme2.0 (@SB8308715342770) April 27, 2025
But a proper manager would understand this and would have utilised Gray more effectively.
Look at Neves’s development compared to Gray being coached By Enrique, plays him in DM and…
Archie Gray needs to realise things happen 2 seconds quicker in midfield
— Glory Glory (@gloryglorytott) April 27, 2025
That is brutal to take Archie Gray off at half-time
— Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) April 27, 2025
Archie gray is struggling big time btw
— Luke Herbert (@lukeherbert) April 27, 2025
I know Archie Gray was struggling but that must have been a massive dent to his confidence to be substituted at half-time.
— Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) April 27, 2025
This was only his second start for Spurs in midfield and it was always going to be difficult to impress.
Archie Gray is not ready to play in midfield in games like this.
— 𝐻𝒾𝓂𝑜𝓉𝒽𝓎 (@THFC_Himothy) April 27, 2025
It’s poor from Ange to throw him in probably in the toughest game of the season for the first time in midfield.
Archie Gray is completely out of his depth at this level, had to be dragged off at half time for his own good, zero redeeming features to his game.
— J (@JBrianR91) April 27, 2025