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Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, staged an emphatic comeback to reach the competition’s showpiece final in March, defeating ‘harmless’ Tottenham 4-1 on aggregate. Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk all found the back of the net, canceling out Lucas Bergvall’s first-leg strike.
The ever dominant Reds capitalized on Tottenham’s sloppiness in the first half, with Yves Bissouma’s careless giveaway allowing Salah to set up Gakpo. The Dutch forward’s fifth Carabao Cup goal of the season, and 16th overall, was a controlled half-volley that drilled past Antonin Kinsky.
The remainder of the match was a one-sided affair, as Salah converted a penalty, Szoboszlai scored a third, and Van Dijk headed home Alexis Mac Allister’s corner. The Reds’ relentless pressure paid off, with Tottenham unable to muster a single shot on target during the entire 90 minutes.
Liverpool trailed 1-0 from the first leg but dominated the second leg from start to finish. Gakpo’s first-half goal was followed by Salah’s penalty and further strikes from Szoboszlai and Van Dijk. The Reds will now aim to retain the trophy they won last season when they meet Newcastle United at Wembley.
The electric atmosphere at Anfield set the stage for a thrilling encounter, but the early breakthrough the home crowd craved was not immediate. However, as the half progressed, Liverpool’s grip on the game tightened, and a flurry of opportunities arose around the half-hour mark.
Nunez saw a shot blocked by Archie Gray before heading Gakpo’s cross straight at Antonin Kinsky. Szoboszlai was then flagged offside after sweeping Salah’s pass beyond Kinsky, and Salah volleyed a deep Andy Robertson delivery over the crossbar.
But in the 34th minute, Tottenham’s resistance was finally broken as Gakpo’s goal canceled out their first-leg advantage. The pressure on Spurs’ goal remained relentless until the break, but the visitors managed to reach halftime level in the tie.
Liverpool resumed their dominance after the restart, and Kinsky denied Gakpo from point-blank range before erring to concede a penalty. Salah converted the penalty, and Liverpool continued to push forward. Nunez fired Bradley’s cut-back into the side-netting, and Gakpo’s left-footed drive kissed the outside of the post.
Ryan Gravenberch struck the foot of the post from 20 yards, but moments later, Szoboszlai sealed the outcome with a cool finish. The Hungarian midfielder slotted past Kinsky with ease, rounding off a lovely move that began with substitute Mac Allister feeding Bradley.
The Reds were not done yet, as Van Dijk towered above Tottenham’s defense to head in the fourth goal and secure his team’s place in the final. The Dutch defender’s header was a fitting conclusion to a dominant display by Liverpool, who will now look to retain their Carabao Cup title.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool will face Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, with the chance to lift a record-extending 11th League Cup trophy. Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou’s promise of second-season silverware now seems more distant than ever.
