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Introduction
Liverpool produced a dominant display at Anfield, dismantling Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final to book a place in the final at Wembley. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Arne Slot’s side overturned the deficit in emphatic style, courtesy of goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk.
A High-Stakes Clash at Anfield
With a place in the Carabao Cup final on the line, Anfield was rocking as Liverpool welcomed Tottenham for a crucial second-leg encounter. The Reds knew they had to overturn a one-goal deficit, and they delivered a sensational performance to storm into the final.
Arne Slot made four changes from the side that won at AFC Bournemouth last weekend. Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal, replacing Alisson Becker. Conor Bradley stepped in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez came in for Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz, respectively.
Liverpool Starting XI:
Kelleher, Van Dijk (Quansah 84’), Konate, Szoboszlai, Nunez (Jota 72’), Salah (Elliott 82’), Jones (Mac Allister 72’), Gakpo (Diaz 82’), Robertson, Gravenberch, Bradley.
Unused Substitutes:
Jaros, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas.
First Half: Liverpool’s Persistence Pays Off
The stage was set, and the atmosphere inside Anfield was electric as Liverpool pushed for an early breakthrough. The Reds dominated possession, but Tottenham initially stood firm, denying any clear-cut chances.
However, as the first half progressed, Liverpool intensified their pressure. Darwin Nunez had an effort blocked by Archie Gray before heading straight at Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from a Cody Gakpo cross.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead when Dominik Szoboszlai swept Mohamed Salah’s pass into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Salah himself then volleyed over from an Andy Robertson delivery.
Finally, in the 34th minute, Liverpool got their breakthrough. Salah delivered a sublime outside-of-the-boot cross into the box, which found Gakpo. The Dutch forward calmly controlled and drilled a half-volley past Kinsky, leveling the tie on aggregate and sending Anfield into a frenzy.
Liverpool continued to pile on the pressure but went into the break with just the one-goal lead, setting the stage for a thrilling second half.
Second Half: Reds Run Riot at Anfield
The second half picked up right where the first left off Liverpool attacking relentlessly. Gakpo nearly grabbed his second goal, only to be denied by an incredible reflex save from Kinsky after Szoboszlai had flicked on a Robertson corner.
However, the Tottenham goalkeeper soon made a costly mistake. After misjudging a pass from Salah, Kinsky brought down Darwin Nunez inside the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Salah stepped up confidently and smashed his penalty into the top corner, giving Liverpool a commanding 2-0 lead.
Liverpool were relentless, pushing for more. Nunez fired into the side netting after a great cut-back from Conor Bradley, while Gakpo’s powerful left-footed drive kissed the outside of the post. Moments later, Ryan Gravenberch struck the foot of the post from 20 yards, narrowly missing another goal.
The Reds’ persistence was rewarded in the 74th minute when Szoboszlai finished off a brilliant team move. Substitute Mac Allister played a clever ball to Bradley, whose underlapping run caught the Spurs defense off guard. Bradley then slipped a pass to Szoboszlai, who coolly slotted past Kinsky to make it 3-0.
Liverpool weren’t done yet. Virgil van Dijk added the icing on the cake with a towering header from a corner, rising above the Tottenham defense to power home the fourth goal. The captain’s strike sealed an emphatic victory and ensured the Reds’ place in the final.
Liverpool March On to Wembley
With a 4-0 triumph at Anfield, Liverpool completed a remarkable turnaround and secured a spot in the Carabao Cup final. Arne Slot’s men will now aim to retain the trophy they won last season when they face Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday, March 16.
This was a statement performance from Liverpool, showcasing their attacking prowess, defensive solidity, and sheer determination. If they replicate this form in the final, another trophy could soon be heading to Anfield.
Final Score:
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (Agg: 4-1)
Goals:
⚽ Gakpo (34’)
⚽ Salah (52’ pen)
⚽ Szoboszlai (74’)
⚽ Van Dijk (84’)
The stage is now set for another thrilling cup final. Can Liverpool lift the Carabao Cup once again? All eyes will be on Wembley as the Reds chase more silverware!
Conclusion
Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Tottenham was more than just a ticket to the Carabao Cup final—it was a statement of intent. Arne Slot’s men displayed dominance, resilience, and attacking flair, proving their ability to perform under pressure. From Gakpo’s opener to Van Dijk’s commanding header, every goal showcased the team’s quality and hunger for success.
With Newcastle United awaiting in the final at Wembley, Liverpool now have the chance to defend their crown and secure the first piece of silverware of the season. If this performance is anything to go by, the Reds will head into the final full of confidence, ready to add another trophy to their illustrious collection.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com