Liverpool vs Tottenham LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final result and reaction as Reds run riot to secure place at Wembley
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham: The Reds overturned a one-goal deficit versus Spurs to cruise into league cup final
Liverpool came from behind to thrash Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s side 4-0 at Anfield to book their place at Wembley.
Tottenham were on the back foot from the get-go as Liverpool suffocated the visitors forcing them deep into their own half and making it difficult to play out. Mistakes in midfield allowed the Reds to turn the ball over and find Mohamed Salah on the right wing. His cross found Cody Gakpo whose first-time shot put Liverpool ahead in the game, level in the tie.
The second goal came after the break. Salah feeding Darwin Nunez into the box and the forward getting brought down by goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky. Salah converted from the spot and Liverpool’s dominance became assurance.
Dominik Szoboszlai added a third and Virgil van Dijk headed in the fourth to secure Liverpool’s spot at Wembley. They were too good for Tottenham on the night and set up a meeting with Newcastle next month.
Relive the action from Anfield with our live blog below:
Tottenham’s toothless performance versus Liverpool sums up their grim reality
A few years ago, Liverpool were mocked for adopting a slogan of “this means more”.
In a match that surely meant more to Tottenham than them, Liverpool nevertheless won emphatically.
It sums up the realities of the two clubs. Tottenham, desperate for a first trophy since 2008, abandoned the principles of Angeball to try and protect their first-leg lead and failed.
Liverpool, with far greater priorities, nonetheless booked a final date with Newcastle as Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk struck. They ran riot without really needing to.
Tottenham’s toothless performance versus Liverpool sums up their grim reality
'Emphatic in the end'
“Emphatic in the end.
“Liverpool may not have hit top gear and still won 4-0. Bringing on Alexis Mac Allister for the final 20 minutes helped finish off Spurs but, in the end, that felt gruelling for Tottenham.
“They had little attacking threat, little response to conceding. Injuries are a mitigating factor but they can't always be used as an excuse.”
Full-time! Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg)
90+3 mins: There’s the final whistle. Tottenham are battered and bruised.
They’ve been bullied all over the pitch at Anfield and conceded four goals.
The Reds were too good, too dominant and too confident for Ange Postecoglou’s men to deal with.
Liverpool win the game, win the tie and win a place in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg)
90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
'Nunez justified his start'
“Exit Darwin Nunez who has justified his start tonight, particularly by winning the penalty.
“It is the most obvious example of how others have benefited from his running tonight.
“With an FA Cup tie at Plymouth on Sunday, this could be a chance for Nunez to begin back-to-back games, especially as Slot still does not seem to trust Diogo Jota's fitness.”
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg)
83 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes now and Liverpool’s place in the final is secured.
The fight has gone out of Spurs and they just want the whistle to go.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg) - Virgil van Dijk
Another one!
Liverpool win a corner that gets whipped into the box. Virgil van Dijk rises higher than anyone else and nods it into the back of the net.
Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham (3-1 agg)
78 mins: Post!
Maybe Spurs aren’t done. Son Heung-Min has had a quiet night but bursts into action down the left.
He weaves into the box and shoots with the effort finding the near post.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham (3-1 agg) - Dominik Szoboszlai, 75'
Game over!
That’s surely going to be enough for Liverpool. Mac Allister brings the ball through the middle of the pitch and sends it over to Conor Bradley.
His first time pass finds the feet of Dominik Szoboszlai. He touches the ball into the box then curls it around the goalkeeper.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (2-1 agg)
74 mins: Post!
Liverpool slowly force Tottenham deeper and flood men into the box.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai bring the ball forward before Gravenberch decides to shoot from range.
He drills a low effort at goal and rattles the left-hand post.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments