Image source: Liverpool fc
Introduction
Liverpool’s hopes of progressing to the Carabao Cup final were dealt a blow on Wednesday night, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in the opening leg of their semi-final tie. The only goal of the match came four minutes before the final whistle, with Lucas Bergvall’s strike sealing a slender advantage for Spurs as the teams prepare for the return leg at Anfield on February 6.
The match was far from straightforward, with both teams having their moments, but ultimately, Tottenham capitalized on their opportunities late in the game. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match, with a look at how the game unfolded and what this means for Liverpool going forward.
Lineups and Tactical Setup
Liverpool made several changes to their starting lineup, with manager Arne Slot opting for a more rotated squad. There were four changes in total, with Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas, and Jarell Quansah all coming into the defensive line. In attack, Diogo Jota made his first start since October, partnering Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo in a front three.
Liverpool:
- Goalkeeper: Alisson
- Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (subbed on), Virgil van Dijk, Jarell Quansah (subbed off), Kostas Tsimikas
- Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones
- Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo (subbed off), Diogo Jota (subbed off)
Unused substitutes included Kelleher, Chiesa, Elliott, and Robertson.
First Half: Tottenham Pressing Early
Tottenham Hotspur started the game on the front foot, immediately pressing Liverpool high up the pitch and forcing several errant passes from the Reds. This early pressure created the first real opportunity of the match in the 6th minute when Heung-min Son’s shot was deflected towards goal by defender Radu Dragusin. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker reacted well, diving low to his right to keep the effort out. A stoppage followed shortly after as Spurs’ Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off the pitch after picking up an injury. He was replaced by Brennan Johnson, adding a fresh element to Spurs’ attack.
As the half wore on, Spurs continued to ask questions of Liverpool’s defense. Son again looked dangerous, drifting past Conor Bradley on the left wing before delivering a low ball into the six-yard box. Dominic Solanke was in position to convert, but he could only turn the ball wide.
Liverpool responded with some attacking threats of their own. Mohamed Salah had a long-range shot flash wide of the post, but the Reds struggled to create clear-cut chances. Alexis Mac Allister nearly made the breakthrough after a free-kick delivery from Tsimikas, but his header was comfortably saved by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky. As the half drew to a close, Liverpool came closest to breaking the deadlock. Cody Gakpo broke away on a counter-attack, cutting inside and unleashing a powerful drive towards goal. Kinsky was alert and made the save to keep the score level at the break.
Second Half: A Game of Missed Opportunities
The second half began with both teams looking to seize control of the match. Tottenham continued their high press, while Liverpool looked to build their play through midfield. However, both teams struggled to create clear chances in the opening stages of the second half, with possession changing hands frequently and neither goalkeeper truly tested.
Spurs had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 54th minute. Lucas Bergvall capitalized on a mistake from Alisson, who was caught off his line as the ball was nicked away by Bergvall just outside the box. Pedro Porro’s subsequent shot was blocked by Virgil van Dijk, but the ball fell back into Porro’s path. The right-back lifted another effort towards goal, but he could only watch as it sailed past the far post.
Slot responded with a triple substitution on the hour mark, bringing on Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Trent Alexander-Arnold in place of Jota, Bradley, and Gakpo. The changes had an immediate impact, with Nunez almost making the difference. First, he met a cross from Mac Allister with a header from 12 yards out, but Kinsky was equal to the effort and made the save. Moments later, Nunez broke free in the box and latched onto a brilliant ball from Salah, but once again, Kinsky was there to deny him with a quick reflex save.
In the 70th minute, Liverpool thought they had scored when Alexander-Arnold fired a brilliant low drive from a tight angle that beat Kinsky. However, defender Radu Dragusin made a heroic clearance off the line to keep the game scoreless. Mac Allister’s follow-up shot then narrowly missed the target, as Spurs managed to survive another Liverpool onslaught.
Bergvall’s Late Strike: Spurs Edge Ahead
As the match neared its conclusion, Tottenham made their move. In the 86th minute, they took the lead through a well-worked goal. A quick counter-attack saw Solanke break free and cut the ball back into the path of Lucas Bergvall, who calmly slotted the ball past Alisson into the bottom corner.
It was a devastating blow for Liverpool, especially considering they had been the better side for large periods of the game. Tsimikas was briefly off the field due to injury when the goal was scored, and his absence left space for Spurs to exploit. Despite the setback, Liverpool’s response was immediate, with Nunez coming close to equalizing in injury time. The Uruguayan met a cross from Diaz with a quick reaction volley, but Kinsky produced an excellent save to push the ball wide and preserve Tottenham’s advantage.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Liverpool now face an uphill battle heading into the second leg at Anfield on February 6. The Reds will be disappointed by the late goal, but they will take heart from their overall performance. Despite the loss, they created enough chances to have taken at least a draw, and they’ll know that with home advantage in the return leg, they are far from out of the tie.
Arne Slot will be looking for his side to sharpen their finishing and take better advantage of the opportunities that come their way. Defensively, there were moments of vulnerability, and the team will need to stay compact and organized, particularly in the latter stages of the match. Tottenham, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their narrow lead, but they’ll know the tie is far from over. Their late winner gives them a slight advantage, but Liverpool’s attacking quality at Anfield will surely test Spurs to the limit.
Conclusion
The Carabao Cup semi-final tie is delicately poised after the first leg. Tottenham Hotspur hold a slender 1-0 advantage, thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s late strike, but Liverpool will feel they still have plenty to offer in the return leg. The Reds will be disappointed with the result, but their performance showed promise, and with a fully fit squad, they’ll believe they can turn the tie around.
As both teams prepare for the second leg at Anfield, it promises to be an exciting and high-stakes encounter. Liverpool’s fans will be hoping for a more clinical performance, while Tottenham will be looking to defend their slender lead and secure a place in the final. One thing is certain: the battle for a Carabao Cup final spot is far from over.
🔴Find the Latest News on Player Ratings | Transfers | Prematch | Postmatch
Thank you for your continued support, and let’s cheer Liverpool on to success in the upcoming match. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section. For further insights, you may explore the official Liverpool FC website by clicking here.
YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com