Antonio Conte warning to Spurs fans after side was booed off at half-time against Liverpool

Antonio Conte was upset when Tottenham were booed by their own supporters and made a veiled threat, hinting that he would not stay if there was no ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘passion’ for him to feed on.

“We have to show a lot of respect for our fans at all times,” said Conte. ‘They are our fans. They pay for the tickets. At the same time, if you ask me if I was a little disappointed, yes… because honesty is important at all times.’

The Spurs were loudly booed down the tunnel at half-time, trailing 2-0 against Liverpool after scoring the first goal for the sixth consecutive game. Harry Kane narrowed the deficit in the 70th minute but they were unable to find an equalizer.

Antonio Conte asked Spurs fans for patience as they collapsed to be beaten at home by Liverpool

“I keep repeating the same thing,” Conte added. ‘We have just started a process. After a year we have improved a lot. If anyone thinks we’re ready to win yet, I have to be honest and tell you it’s going to be very, very hard.

“I can’t promise right now that I will win trophies. At the moment we are far from it. I keep asking for time and patience. I have the experience to tell you that we are far from other teams who are used to winning and have a strong squad to win.

“If we understand this together, we’ll be fine. Everyone wants to win. I’m the first to win. If everyone has time and patience it’s good, otherwise we will continue this season and see what happens at the end.’

The visitors ran to a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from talisman Mohamed Salah

Spurs fans were frustrated at their side’s loss to Liverpool in North London

Conte added: “For me, the passion and enthusiasm is my fuel. I must have this. It’s very important to me.’

Tottenham have taken just three points from their last four Premier League games. Three costly defeats to Manchester United, Newcastle and Liverpool, teams vying with them for the European places. The one they won was a final rescue after fighting back from two at Bournemouth.

The malaise in form leaves them eight points behind leaders Arsenal after playing an extra game.

The club are now eight points behind rivals Arsenal, despite having played an extra game

“If you really want to fight at the top of the league, you have to make sure you find those big moments and come out on top in these kinds of games, and we didn’t do that,” Kane said.

“We pushed them to the end and I feel we deserved a second goal. Unfortunately, the damage was not too bad in the first half.

“In big games and important moments this season we made too many mistakes against the bigger teams and we were punished and that was the case today. We need to reduce those mistakes, especially against the best teams.

“We have to be disappointed because we lost the game and we weren’t good enough. Being at half time has happened too often this season and we have to chase the game in the second half.’

Dejan Kulusevski returned from a hamstring injury in the second half and secured Kane’s goal within seconds. Son Heung-min, who is out of the hospital after surgery for a fracture of his cheekbone near his eye.

He is unlikely to play for Spurs for the World Cup, but Conte said: “I am confident he can come back soon and play the World Cup for South Korea.”