Jose Mourinho refused to blame Gareth Bale after Tottenham’s defeat at Brighton.
Bale has not impressed since his return to north London on loan from Real Madrid and was ineffective at the AMEX Stadium.
He played up front in the absence of the injured Harry Kane, who was badly missed by Mourinho’s side.
Spurs boss Mourinho was asked at his post-match press conference if he felt Bale’s loan move was not working out as had been hoped.
He replied: “We lost a match. And when we lose a match, we lose all together. We don’t lose because of one player or one bad performance.
“So I don’t think it’s fair, especially for myself in representation of my team, to answer that question – especially now.
“If that question comes in a great moment for the team, after a victory and when Gareth like the team plays a good game, it’s easier for me to answer,#
“I don’t want to do that (now). We lost – and we all lost.”
Mourinho described the omission of Serge Aurier as a “technical decision” and did not answer when asked if it was linked to the player’s reaction to being substituted at half-time against Liverpool.
Aurier, who reportedly stormed out of the stadium after being told he was being taken off against the Reds, was replaced in the starting line-up by Moussa Sissoko.
“I’m happy with the decision because Moussa played very well,” Mourinho added.