Despite the home side having the advantage on the scoreline, the Frenchman marked his return from an injury lay-off with a well-taken goal under pressure to reduce the deficit but we were unable to inspire a fightback from there.

The 26-year-old was left frustrated after the loss, expecting more from himself and his team-mates as we succumbed to the Reds’ dominance.

‘We feel sad because we lost a game which we wanted to win,’ Nkunku reflected.

‘To concede three goals and to come back is very difficult. I think we need to work more and come back stronger for our game on Sunday.

‘I think we need to work on everything. We need to put more in every moment of the game. We need to push hard with our intensity.

‘I think even in our character, we need to do more on the pitch to win the game. We know the stadium is difficult to play in, but we can do a lot more.’

After an absence due to a hip injury, Nkunku was pleased to step back onto the pitch with Mauricio Pochettino calling on the forward at half-time, and the dynamic attacker is now determined to maintain his fitness for the games ahead.

‘I came back from a big injury on my knee and after I had a little injury to my hip, but that’s normal after a long injury,’ he added.

‘I just want to stay fit, to continue to perform and help the team. Of course, it is positive to score for a striker, but I think this is not the main point tonight.

‘I need to take it step-by-step because I don’t want another injury. I need to take care of myself also, but for sure I want to help the team and play as many games as I can.’