After defeating Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield, Liverpool have booked their place in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16th live on Paramount+. Behind a goal and an assist from Mohamed Salah, the Reds were able to overturn a 1-0 deficit after the first leg to put the clash out of sight facing an injury-riddled Tottenham side. Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel made their Tottenham debuts after signing on deadline day but it wasn't enough. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 34th minute with his fourth goal in his last four matches and it was all Liverpool from there.
While some issues are due to Tottenham missing major pieces of the first team like Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero and Micky Van De Ven, Ange Postecoglou's men set up not to lose and were punished at Anfield. Salah netted his 26th goal in all competitions this season as his bid for a Ballon d'Or and Liverpool's quest for a quadruple continues. Three goals in the second half ensured that there would only be one winner as Liverpool found a second gear after Tottenham did what they could to limit chances in the first half.
From their mentality to never worry about a match to the depth of being able to bring on players Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister, it shows why Liverpool are leading the race for the Premier League title while also balancing strong runs in every other cup competition while Tottenham are left to pick up the pieces as their season shatters into shambles, losing their best chance at a trophy.
After Liverpool nabbed a goal to close out the first half of play, it was clear that the next goal would be critical at 2-0. While they came out of the gate in the second half strongly, it was a mistake that gifted Liverpool their go-ahead goal. After an excellent pass from Salah, Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had to make a challenge on Darwin Nunez to avoid gifting a goal but instead made contact, giving Liverpool a penalty. When Salah stepped up to the spot, the result was never in doubt and the Tottenham spiral continued from there.
While Salah was excellent in attack, Tottenham not registering a shot on target shows how locked in the Liverpool defense led by Virgil Van Dijk was. Making four recoveries, two clearances and one interception in the match, it wasn't about how many tackles the Dutchman got into as much as it was about him anticipating things and ensuring that Tottenham could never feel comfortable in attack, which he did excellently. Add in scoring a goal to put this out of reach, and it was an excellent all-around performance.
Already the defending champions of the competition, Liverpool have booked their spot in the final facing Newcastle United. That will also keep their quest at a quadruple alive. Liverpool are the favorite in every competition that they're in so this won't be a groundbreaking result, but entering expecting to win and then doing it does mean something for the Reds. Under Arne Slot, they haven't missed a step this season and they'll be ready to go in the FA Cup during the weekend before facing Everton in league play.
While Spurs are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League, this was a deflating loss to Liverpool. The injuries are an issue but their players couldn't stand up to Liverpool even with taking a conservative approach. Postecoglou is in a tough position. He had to play multiple players who just came in on deadline day, there was another injury this time to Richarlison and his team is falling flat in front of him.
Already struggling in league play, cups are Tottenham's road to success and losing their best chance at a trophy hurts. Spurs will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup in another must-win clash during the weekend but this isn't something that inspires confidence. Something needs to change, and while that shouldn't be the manager, if these results continue Postecoglou could be the odd man out at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On March 16th live on Paramount+, Liverpool and Newcastle United will meet at Wembley for the EFL Cup final, but before that, both teams will be in FA Cup play this weekend. Tottenham will travel to face Aston Villa and Liverpool will travel to face championship side Plymouth Argyle, both on Sunday.
Arne Slot is in his first cup final as Liverpool manager after a massive victory over Tottenham at home. Pushing from the first kick it was complete domination from the Reds from start to finish. Mohamed Salah's push for a Ballon d'Or continues with a goal and an assist en route to a cup final.
Virgil Van Dijk scores from a corner kick and that delivery was an instant impact from Alexis Mac Allister. Tottenham will have wanted to do better on that but this game has escalated quickly.
It was a brilliant individual effort to even turn that into a chance but it wasn't good enough to find the back of the net.
Szoboszlai scores after a counter from Liverpool and in a flash, it's in the back of the net and Spurs now need two goals in 15 minutes just to force extra time.
This is the second time that Liverpool has hit the post in the second half of play. Tottenham have created a few chances but not one to go ahead.
In the form he has been in, Gakpo will have expected for that to hit the back of the net but Kinsky was there yet again to give Tottenham a lifeline in the match.
The corner was cleared by Nunez but belief is what Tottenham needs at this stage. It may feel like it is all Liverpool because it has been but all that Spurs need is a goal and this will be a very different game. Changes are coming as Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall get ready to come on.
After another excellent pass from Salah, Kinsky makes contact with Darwin Nunez and Liverpool will have a penalty. Salah will bury it and now Spurs officially need to come out of their shell.
Kinsky is forced into a big save to deny Salah of a goal. Robertson follows up with another big chance as Liverpool is pushing to go ahead.
Neither team will be too pleased with that half. Liverpool could've scored three goals putting this out of sight while Tottenham hasn't even put a shot on target. Everything is in the balance in the second half because as of now, this match would go to extra time and then penalties which no one will want.
RIcharlison has left the match due to an injury which means that Mathys Tel will enter during stoppage time of the first half to make his Tottenham debut after signing on deadline day.
After getting an opening goal, Liverpool is playing exclusively in Tottenham's defensive third so something needs to change or the second goal will also go the way of the Reds just as the first one did.
They've been the dominant side but after a poor giveaway by Spurs, Salah's pass found Cody Gakpo and this tie is now level on aggregate. Spurs can't give the ball away like that and still expect a result here but this is far from over.
Liverpool came close to scoring the first goalbut it was handled by Kinsky. Dominik Szoboszlai then had the ball in the back of the net but went too early. It's a warning for Spurs that they'll want a goal sooner than later but it has been an open start.
Spurs are employing a bend but don't break approach but they're still causing danger on the counter attack. A slightly better pass and Darwin Nunez has the ball in the back of the net but all that matters at this stage is the official score which shows Tottenham leading by a goal on aggregate.
Son has to move a mic out of the way to deliver a corner kick but it doesn't amount to much in Spurs' first real chance of the game. We've reached the 17th minute and so far, it still feels evenly matched.
Darwin Nunez is causing chaos as a giveaway almost costs Spurs a gaol but they were able to recover and keep possession of the ball. The nerves are showing early on in the match.
Neither team can get into the game in the early going as the ball has been turned over plenty of times. Tottenham will like this start but Liverpool will want an early goal to push the pace and force Tottenham into mistakes.
The teams are out and the pressure is firmly on Liverpool as the Reds trail by a goal.
Backed against the wall, the Spurs attack will be just enough to squeak by booking their place in the EFL Cup final against the odds. Pick: Liverpool 2, Tottenham 2
If there's one player to keep an eye on today, it's Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old is in the midst of a standout season and has already scored 25 goals, making him the most likely candidate to reverse the deficit for Liverpool. While he remains at a contract impasse with Liverpool, he's still the leading candidate to win this year's Ballon d'Or -- even if the ceremony is months away.
Ange Postecoglou may be without several first team players, but he will have all three winter signings available for selection today. Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky already made his debut in the 1-0 win over Liverpool last month, while center back Kevin Danso could slot right in next to Ben Davies after signing for the club on Sunday. Perhaps most notably, in-demand forward Mathys Tel could also play his first game for Spurs after his deadline day deal. Tel, 19, was of interest to several English club but landed at Spurs on loan from Bayern on Monday and has a few months to demonstrate why he's one of the most hyped rising talents.
The length of each team's injury lists might differ greatly, but both Liverpool and Tottenham will be without key players. Here's a glance at who will miss today's game.
Liverpool: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez
Tottenham Hotspur: Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Guglielmo Vicario, Wilson Odobert
Whoever comes out on top today will face Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16. The Magpies booked their spot in the final after an impressive semifinal tie against Arsenal, winning 4-0 on aggregate and bolstering the argument that they are currently the most in-form team in England. Take a peek at the highlights from yesterday's win while we wait for today's semifinal to begin -- it'll offer a clear glimpse that Newcastle will be a serious contender in a few weeks' time.
There are no real surprises from the Reds as Arne Slot rotates a bit but still names essentially a first choice squad. Darwin Nunez will be the one to watch leading the line but as always, this is a dynamic Liverpool side that can take control of the game in many different ways.
Starters: Caoimhin Kelleher, Andrew Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Kounate, Conor Bradley, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez
It's a debut for Kevin Danso after joining on deadline day as there is a shakeup defensively for Spurs. Tel will have to settle for a place on the bench but it's clear that this is a team built to manage the game at Anfield already entering with a one goal advantage.
Starters: Antonin Kinsky, Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Djed Spence, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison, Heung-min Son
Just as Spurs began to get healthy again, Micky van de Ven finds himself injured leaving Ange Postecoglou without his top three center backs for the match. Kevin Danso did join right before deadline day and he could be set to debut in the cup similarly to Kinsky in the first leg. Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odebert, James Maddison, Destiney Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, Radu Dragusin and van de Ven will all miss out on the clash causing Spurs to dig deep in search of victory.
In the first leg, the Reds created the better chances of the two but were unable to get past new Tottenham keeper Antonin Kinsky in the match. Doing similar things from that match, it's expected that Liverpool will score a goal or two in order to book their place at Wembley, but with Trent Alexander-Arnold suffering with a muscular issue, they may not be at full strength for the clash. With how many games they've had to play and more looming commitments on the horizon, an early Tottenham goal could shift things in a big way.
The final EFL Cup semifinal is here, and it's a big one. Liverpool continue their quest to win their first trophy under manager Arne Slot today, but have to overcome a 1-0 deficit to Tottenham Hotspur in the process. The odds still favor the Reds despite Spurs' aggregate lead, but the visitors proved last leg that they should not necessarily be underestimated, even as several first team players miss the game with injury.
Stick around for pre-game coverage and live updates once the game begins.
