Freddie Ljungberg stated that Hugo Lloris ‘needed to do better’ for Marcus Edwards’ goal during Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic 1-1 draw against Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The former Premier League winner stated that he holds the Spurs goalkeeper responsible for Edwards’ long-range effort against his former club, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (26/10/22 at 8:55 pm).
It was a driving run from Edwards through Tottenham’s midfield, before the Englishman decided to unleash a shot from long-range given that he had space in front of him because the defenders were backing off.
The reason why Lloris has been criticised for how he handled that situation is that Edwards’ effort was drilled across the ground, rather than it being rifled into the top right-hand corner.
Either way, when Rodrigo Bentancur equalised on a frustrating night for the home side, that’s when the drama unfolded because Harry Kane thought he has scored a last-gasp winner, but it was controversially ruled out for offside.
Nonetheless, Arsenal legend Ljungberg reacted to Lloris’ performance tonight, including his decision to rush out of his goal with ten minutes left on the clock.
“It was quick play, Gomes goes into the middle of the park, it’s a long, long way out for Edwards,” said Ljungberg.
“But I am sorry, Lloris you need to do better on that, especially when there is so much at stake. He has struggled a bit lately.
On Lloris charging out towards the end: “Hopefully, it’s offside. But I hold him responsible for the first one, then doing this at the end of the game, sorry Lloris, that’s not good decision-making.”
BAD WEEK FOR LLORIS
On Sunday, Tottenham suffered their first home defeat of the season when Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United rocked up to north London and secured all three points.
Lloris was at fault for two of the goals scored by the Magpies because he came rushing out to no-man’s land to help Callum Wilson open the scoring.
Before his poor pass out from the back resulted in Miguel Almiron pouncing on the mistake and doubling his side’s lead.