Gary Neville was among the pundits to slate Emerson Royal for his calamitous performance in Tottenham’s 4-2 loss at Liverpool on Sunday.
Spurs were handed a major boost in their pursuit of Champions League football after top four rival Aston Villa lost 1-0 at Brighton but they failed to take advantage.
Ange Postecoglou’s side went 4-0 down at Anfield before the hour mark thanks to goals from Mohammed Salah, Andy Robertson Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott.
Richarlison and Son Heung-min struck late on to give the visitors hope but the damage had already been done, leaving Spurs seven points off Villa and in need of a miracle to qualify for the UCL.
With Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies injured, right-back Emerson was chosen to fill in at left-back, but the Brazilian was not up to the task.
‘A lot of Liverpool’s joy has been down Tottenham’s left. Salah is having a field day on that side,’ Neville said on commentary for Sky Sports.
After Gakpo’s goal, the Manchester United legend added: ‘Emerson’s day just got a lot worse!
‘He doesn’t know Harvey Elliott is backing up play, he has no idea where he is!’
Fellow pundit Roy Keane agreed, adding: ‘Emerson Royal just doesn’t smell danger wherever he plays.
‘Spurs have been very poor. There’s been no conviction. There’s been no intensity.’
Jamie Redknapp added: ‘Liverpool have been really good. We highlighted before the game that Salah vs Royal could be a mismatch, and that’s been the case.’
Just moments before Elliot’s goal, Emerson was booked for a foul on Salah and with that Postecoglou had clearly seen enough, hauling the defender off with Oliver Skipp taking his place.
The 25-year-old was also notably involved in a heated exchange with teammate Cristian Romero as the players walked off at half-time, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario forced to separate the pair.
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