POCH: DON’T KILL TRICKS LIKE ALLI’S

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has defended Dele Alli over his Liverpool dive – and fears overscrutiny is “killing” the English game. The Spurs boss was standing by his man, with Alli still under fire for his conduct from pundits, opposition fans and Reds defender Dejan Lovren. The England midfielder was booked for the incident (above) and Pochettino believes that should have been the end of the matter. He said: “Look, it was a yellow card, it happens. During different games, a lot of situations like this happen. The problem now is that we are so sensitive about the situation – and then we are so focused on Dele Alli. “The referee was right. I think it’s a minimal issue.” And Pochettino (above) insisted the Anfield controversy should not be used to smear the 21-year-old’s image. He added: “Of course, he’s not perfect. Nobody is perfect. Of course, he is a clever boy.

“The problem today is more than this type of situation. I am worried that we are going to change the game that we know.

“Football is a creative sport, in which you need the talent, that grows in a very intelligent person. But now we are so focused on minimal details. I am worried that, in a few years, we will push that sport into a very rigid structure – with the VAR, with being focused too much on small actions.

“To stop the game, to punish people when, 20 or 30 years ago, the player would be congratulated when he tricks the referee or like this.” Reminded of the wounds inflicted by the likes of Maradona over the years, Pochettino added: “Yes, in Argentina, but in England, too. You believe that in England you were honest and always perfect.

“That is the football that I was in love with when I was a child. Football is about trying to trick your opponent. Yes or no?

“Tactic – what does tactic mean? When you do some tactics, it is to try to trick the opponent. It’s a mix that I am worried that maybe we are going to kill the game.”