HARRY REDKNAPP admits Tottenham will lose their grip on the Carling Cup if there is a repeat of their performance against Liverpool during his first week in charge at White Hart Lane.
Spurs could have been dead and buried against Rafael Benitez’s men when they met in the Premier League, only for Jamie Carragher’s own goal and a last-ditch winner from Roman Pavlyuchenko to give them a 2-1 victory.
Redknapp’s magic touch has been credited with Spurs going unbeaten since their change of manager – and defending the Carling Cup is the next task, with Liverpool their opponents in the fourth round.
“We played Liverpool and beat them but let’s face it, they murdered us,” Redknapp said.
Redknapp has Benoit Assou-Ekotto suspended and Ledley King in need of rest, and he has the option of involving fringe players such as Paul Stalteri, Ricardo Rocha, Adel Taarabt, Kevin- Prince Boateng and Hossam Ghaly.
A full-strength team was picked for the UEFA Cup clash against Dinamo Zagreb last week and balanced against the defence of a trophy, Redknapp is understood to be keen to keep his whole squad involved in first-team duties.
“All the players are in the dressing room after the games, delighted that we have won,” Redknapp said. “I have not isolated any of them. They are part of it. And that is how I want to keep it.”
Rocha has felt the difference, and the Portuguese defender said: “Redknapp is a great coach, very communicative and everyone is motivated to show what they can do.”
