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Liverpool came from behind to defeat Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals as they defeated Ange Postecoglou’s men 2-0 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 Mo 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 boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to ITV:
“Tough night. Credit to Liverpool they were way too good for us tonight. We never really got to grips with the game with or without the ball. We just allowed them to get control pretty early and it made it difficult for us to get in the game.
“Both of the first two goals we could have done better but ultimately what was really important was that we never played to our identity and strengths and shied away from the challenge a little bit.
“Overall we didn’t start well and were way too passive and let Liverpool get in a rhythm. We still have competitions to play for starting on Sunday. With the opportunities we do have still, we have to tackle them in our way rather than finding different ways to win games.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to ITV:
“We did very well. I am proud of the boys and now we look forward to the FA Cup. Gakpo is doing very well, we need him in the best shape of his life but he is doing so well.
“Everyone has to contribute scoring goals. We will face a very intense Newcastle.
“When the time is right we will prepare well. I’m always proud to be leading out the boys, but these occasions are special… when the time is there, we will be ready.”
More from Postecoglou:
“We knew the first 20 minutes we had to keep it solid in terms of our decision making and to give them a second goal is disappointing.
“We never got to grips with any part of the game.
“No, it is not an emotion I feel [lonely]. I am disappointed that we didn’t give a good account of ourselves.
“Very disappointed. We had a great opportunity, but unfortunately we didn’t grab it.”
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Sky Sports:
“I guess that Liverpool deserved the victory. They were the far better team – we were not able to get a grip of the game.
“They were too good for us.
“We allowed them to get into the game and we were not as aggressive as we needed to be. We didn’t get the game started off in the right footing.
“It was very difficult for us to wrestle that control back.
“We definitely needed to be braver with and without the ball. They’re a very good Liverpool team in a good spell of form and they’re very settled.”
FT Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg)
Liverpool have reached their 15th League Cup final, five more than any other side.
‘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.”
Source: independent.co.uk
