Liverpool overcame a first-leg deficit in emphatic style as they hammered Tottenham 4-0 to cruise into the Carabao Cup final.
Spurs took a one-goal lead to Anfield, as they attempted to book their place in the Wembley final and maintain their ambitions of some silverware to salvage an otherwise hugely frustrating season. But it was instead a 4-1 aggregate defeat, as Arne Slot’s swept them aside. Cody Gakpo levelled up the tie in the first-half with a sharp finish at the near post and Liverpool then ran away with it after the break.
Mohamed Salah dispatched a penalty into the top corner after Antonin Kinsky had brought down Darwin Nunez, before Dominik Szoboszlai finished cooly and Virgil van Dijk thundered in a header from a corner. Liverpool will face Newcastle at Wembley on March 16, as they look to win the Carabao Cup for the second consecutive standard.
Liverpool vs Tottenham latest news
- GOAL! Van Dijk adds fourth for Liverpool
- GOAL! Szoboszlai effectively puts tie to bed
- GOAL! Salah puts Liverpool in front with penalty
- GOAL! Gakpo levels tie on aggregate
- NO GOAL! Szoboszlai finish ruled out for offside
FT: Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1)
21:57Liverpool are back in the Carabao Cup final!
Spurs were never really in it, failing to register a shot on target tonight.
Liverpool vs Newcastle on March 16 at Wembley.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1)
21:55 , Matt Verri90 mins: “I honestly think that Liverpool have just been too good,” says Ally McCoist.
I’d suggest that probably is the case, looking at the scoreline.
Three minutes added on.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1)
21:51 , Matt Verri86 mins: Should be 5-0.
Free-kick swung in, Jota completely free but he flicks a header wide on the stretch. Should maybe have left it for Diaz behind him.
Van Dijk gets a huge ovation as he comes off to be replaced by Quansah.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1)
21:49 , Matt Verri85 mins: Spence launches himself into a challenge that you can file under ‘frustrated’.
Would be fair to say Spurs are fairly keen to hear the full-time whistle.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1)
21:47 , Matt Verri83 mins: Davies off, Moore on for Spurs.
So Spence is back to left-back, and Gray has a third position of the night. Centre-back now, he’s played right across the defence.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham | Virgil van Dijk 80'
21:45 , Matt VerriThat really does do it!
Mac Allister swings in the corner, Van Dijk rises highest in the middle and nods home!
So, so easy.
Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham (agg 3-1)
21:42 , Matt Verri78 mins: Son with a rare chance to break down the left, finally some space for Tottenham.
He skips past Konate on the outside, tight angle but he hammers an effort at goal... smacks off the bar!
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
21:40 , Matt VerriAnd that should be that for Spurs, who have been thoroughly outclassed and outfought on a rotten night.
There is no shame in losing here to Liverpool but the manner of his side's defeat should frustrate Postecoglou.
They have barely got going.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Tottenham | Dominik Szoboszlai 75'
21:39 , Matt VerriGame, set and match?
Bradley slides it into the path of Szoboszlai, who slides the finish past Kinsky and that should be that!
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:39 , Matt Verri74 mins: Liverpool don’t make the most of a chance to break - Salah should have been played in, but it went to Gakpo instead.
Attack is slowed down, before Gravenberch tries his luck from 25 yards out. Smacks against the post.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:37 , Matt Verri72 mins: Gray’s cross is a bit awkward for Kelleher, who opts to parry it over the bar instead.
Clearly every single one of the officials was busy at the time, though. Goal-kick given.
Liverpool changes - Jones and Nunez off, Mac Allister and Jota.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:34 , Matt Verri69 mins: Liverpool break forward again, Bergvall has to slide in and can only knock the ball behind for a corner.
Robertson has taken pretty much all of these to the near post, but this one is right on top of Kinsky.
Konate wins the header but can’t direct it. Clashed heads with Bentancur in the process.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:31 , Matt Verri66 mins: Fair to say it’s been a quiet first 20 minutes or so in a Spurs shirt for Tel.
He’s barely had a kick, the visitors haven’t been able to put any pressure on this Liverpool defence.
Good news is, they only need one goal to take this to extra-time. It’s not over.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:27 , Matt Verri63 mins: Kinsky has been pretty loose on the ball tonight. Knocked it straight out of play already on more than one occasion since half-time.
Here come Liverpool again, Gakpo played in on the left.
Nunez wants it squared, Gakpo lashes it across goal instead and it flicks off the outside of the post.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:25 , Matt Verri60 mins: There’s more and more space out there now for Liverpool.
Gakpo dinks a cross into the middle, Szoboszlai floats into space but he can only head straight at Kinsky.
More goals in this for the hosts.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
21:22Don't tell me Postecoglou doesn't try new things.
It looks like Djed Spence has moved from left back to right wing following the introductions of Porro and Bergvall.
Novel.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:21 , Matt Verri57 mins: Postecoglou has seen enough, it’s a double change.
Sarr and Bissouma off, Bergvall and Porro on. Gray will move into midfield.
Actually, he’s over to left back...
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:19 , Matt Verri55 mins: Tel wins a corner and then calls for more noise from the Spurs fans behind that goal.
Kulusevski’s corner once again perfectly finds the forehead of Nunez.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (agg 2-1)
21:17 , Matt Verri53 mins: Liverpool look so, so dangerous on the counter. Spurs are going to have to force things a bit now but you fear for them when they do.
Tel makes a run in behind, Van Dijk took quick and just backheels it away from the Spurs man.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
21:16 , Matt VerriThere were next to no complaints from Kinsky after referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot, suggesting he knew full well he had caught Nunez.
Spurs have started the second half meekly and are in danger of going out with a whimper here.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham | Mohamed Salah 51'
21:15 , Matt VerriSalah makes no mistake!
Brilliant penalty, lifted into the top corner. No stopping that.
PENALTY LIVERPOOL!
21:13 , Matt VerriDavies with a really poor pass and Liverpool pounce.
Salah rolls a pass in behind, Kinsky comes flying out but Nunez pokes it away from him and takes the contact.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
21:11 , Matt Verri47 mins: Two early corners for Liverpool, Spurs immediately under pressure.
Robertson to the near post again, Szoboszlai flicks a header on and Kinsky does well to parry it away, with Gakpo right in front of him.
Back underway!
21:09 , Matt VerriHere we go again...
How Liverpool levelled it up
21:03 , Matt VerriHere is that Cody Gakpo goal.
Spurs lose it in midfield and they are punished, with Antonin Kinsky unable to scramble across in time.
Gakpo levels the tie! 🔴
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025
He becomes the top scorer in this year's Carabao Cup 🥇 pic.twitter.com/ZA4TmXgEvz
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
20:59 , Matt VerriGakpo's goal has levelled the tie on aggregate but Spurs need to improve if they are to get back into the game on the night.
They've already lost Richarlison, while both Son and Kulusevski appear jaded. Liverpool look like they can still go up a gear or two.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:54 , Matt VerriHalf-time at Anfield.
Liverpool have levelled the tie through that Cody Gakpo opener.
Spurs hit by another injury problem, with Richarlison forced off as Tel makes his debut.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:53 , Matt Verri45+6 mins: Robertson makes a burst forward, but the offside flag is up.
Spurs have done a good job of calming things down in the last five minutes or so. Have slowed Liverpool’s charge.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:49 , Matt Verri45+3 mins: Van Dijk takes a heavy touch, it very nearly lets Tottenham in but he just about gets away with it.
Son then thinks he’s in behind, but it’s a poor touch and he was offside. Apart from that, all good from the Spurs captain.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:47 , Matt Verri45+1 mins: Seven minutes added on and we might get another minute or so more than that.
Tel leading the line for Spurs.
Kinsky under no pressure at all, opts to punch the ball rather than just catch it. Slices it behind him for a corner. Fairly impressive.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
20:46 , Matt VerriIt makes for difficult watching for Spurs fans as Richarlison goes down clutching his calf and pounds the turf in frustration.
Anfield reacts gleefully but it looks like another muscle injury for the Brazilian.
Mathys Tel is on for a premature debut.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:45 , Matt Verri44 mins: Richarlison has gone down off the ball and he is punching the ground in frustration.
Think he knows he’s picked up another injury.
Liverpool play on and Salah’s volley forces Kinsky into an acrobatic save, just about tips it over.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:42 , Matt Verri41 mins: The pressure is relentless.
Gravenberch dances his way into the box, he’s about to drill it low into the six-yard box but Spence slides in. Another corner.
Not a great delivery, Salah does well to bring it down at the back post and keep Liverpool on the attack, but it comes to nothing.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:40 , Matt Verri39 mins: Bradley flies in on Son, Spurs captain sent flying but it’s a clean tackle.
Spence then gets pressed, Bradley seems to have knocked it out for a goal-kick... but a corner is given.
Assistant was about half a foot away.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (agg 1-1)
20:37 , Matt Verri36 mins: This is a huge ten minutes now for Spurs.
Liverpool players are up, Liverpool fans are up... visitors can’t concede again before half-time.
There is your expert analysis.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
20:36 , Matt VerriIt was a really sharp finish at the far post from Gakpo but Spurs will be hugely disappointed with conceding that goal.
It all stemmed from a loose pass from Bissouma when Spurs were in a good position to counter-attack.
Anfield is rocking and the tie is level at 1-1.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham | Cody Gakpo 34'
20:35 , Matt VerriTHAT ONE COUNTS!
Salah crosses with the outside of his foot, Nunez can’t make contact but it comes to Gakpo at the back post.
Low finish is too good for Kinsky to get across and save.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:33 , Matt Verri32 mins: Bissouma slides in on Jones, concedes the corner. Pressure is building on the Spurs defence.
Taken quickly, before Robertson swings a deep cross in.
Salah is free, tries to volley it back across the face of goal but gets it all wrong. Sliced over.
GOOO.... OFFSIDE!
20:31 , Matt VerriSzoboszlai has the ball in the net but the flag is up.
Salah with a wonderful pass through, it’s a cool finish from Szoboszlai but he was a yard or two off.
Spurs survive.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:30 , Matt Verri29 mins: Gakpo twists and turns his way past Gray and stands up a great cross to the back post.
Nunez gets up, it’s a free header but he nods it straight at Kinsky.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:29 , Matt Verri28 mins: Kulusevski completely isolated on the right, does really well to win a corner for Spurs.
He swings it in, Nunez there at the near post and he heads it away to safety.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:27 , Matt Verri26 mins: Just wide!
Salah allowed to cut inside onto his left foot on the edge of the box.
Tries to roll a pass into Nunez’s path, it takes a big deflection and bobbles just beyond the far post. Kinsky wasn’t getting there.
Corner taken short, all the way back to the halfway line. Dreadful.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:26 , Matt Verri25 mins: Another corner for Spurs, slightly strange defending from Salah.
Swung into the near post, Danso tries to get across his man but can’t make contact.
And now Liverpool break, Spence can’t get there this time. Szoboszlai is a better touch away from being in.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
20:24 , Matt VerriSpurs have got through the first 20 minutes, though not without some really jittery moments and a cut head for Ben Davies.
Kevin Danso has started well and got his body in the way of a couple of shots.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:22 , Matt Verri21 mins: Long spell of Liverpool possession, Spurs have been pushed right back.
Bradley eventually swings a cross in, Gray stays alert and flicks a header behind for a corner, with Robertson lurking behind him.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:19 , Matt Verri18 mins: That free-kick brings Tottenham’s first corner of the match.
Liverpool clear and threaten to break, Spence has to be alert to launch the ball back forward as the last man. Had about four red shirts charging towards him.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:17 , Matt Verri16 mins: Spurs down to ten briefly, as Davies goes off to change his shirt. Back on now - last thing Spurs need is another problem at centre-back.
Chance for the visitors to break, Richarlison is by himself and slows down, desperately waiting to be fouled.
Gravenberch decides to help him out, bundling the forward over.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:15 , Matt Verri14 mins: Blood coming from Davies’ head after that, Liverpool fans less than impressed but the centre-back will need to be cleaned up.
Fair few stoppages already in this match, which Spurs will not be disappointed about at all.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:13 , Matt Verri12 mins: Liverpool win the corner, as Bradley skips to the byline.
Salah takes it short, Szoboszlai whips it in and Kinsky then makes a complete mess of trying to claim it.
Ended up colliding with Davies as he dropped the ball, but Bissouma is there to smash the ball away.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:12 , Matt Verri11 mins: Robertson bursts away down the left wing and Gakpo then turns past Bissouma.
Space for Liverpool, for the first time, but the ball runs lose and Tottenham clear.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
20:10 , Matt VerriRicharlison, a former Everton player, is seemingly trying his hardest to further fire up the home crowd, which doesn't strike me as the best approach.
Spurs need calm heads here.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:09 , Matt Verri8 mins: Concern for Liverpool, Nunez has gone and looks in a fair bit of pain.
He got caught by Richarlison as the Spurs forward was being fouled himself, and Nunez needs some treatment.
Going to try and continue.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:08 , Matt Verri7 mins: Lovely flick from Nunez, nearly puts it on a plate for Szoboszlai in the box but Bissouma gets back to make a great block.
Ball falls for Salah, his deflected effort is comfortably saved.
Liverpool piling on the pressure, though. Szoboszlai there again, Spurs just about scramble it away. That was a bit frantic from the visitors.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: Gray with a lovely ball over the top, Richarlison briefly looks to be in but Konate leans on him and knocks him off balance.
Already feel Richarlison is not far away from absolutely clattering into someone. Running a bit hot.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:04 , Matt Verri3 mins: Richarlison left in a heap on the floor, holding his face and rolling around.
Van Dijk it was trying to hold the Spurs man off and he did appear to throw an elbow in Richarlison’s direction.
Caught him around the neck - Richarlison is furious as he eventually gets up. Shoves Van Dijk... who doesn’t move.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham (agg 0-1)
20:03 , Matt Verri2 mins: Salah has his first run at Spence, who is up to the task and knocks it out of play.
No surprise that it’s Liverpool straight on the front foot early in this second leg.
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running!
Teams are out at Anfield.
Camera with a nice close up shot of Kevin Danso, just to remind him that there will be plenty of attention on him as he makes his debut.
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
19:57 , Matt VerriThe atmosphere is ramping up here but, in Spurs' favour, there are 6,000 away fans occupying the bottom half of the Anfield Road stand - much more than for a Premier League game.
They are trying to make themselves heard as the teams prepare to come out.
Arne Slot explains team selection
19:55 , Matt VerriThe Liverpool boss tells Sky Sports: “Darwin and Curtis come in... it’s going to be three or four months with many, many, many games. You can’t do it with 11.
“That’s why we think it’s important to rotate a bit, but not too much because you want to keep the core of the team the same.”
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
19:48 , Matt VerriCould prove to be a season-defining night for Tottenham.
No pressure.
"It feels like one of the biggest nights of Ange Postecoglou's tenure at Tottenham."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) February 6, 2025
🗣 @Dan_KP gives his pre-match thoughts as Spurs look to book their place at Wembley.
LIVE: https://t.co/ADXRCgqNtQ #LIVTOT | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/0lbRqsJkH2
Warm-up time!
19:42 , Matt VerriKick-off just under 20 minutes away now.
Don’t want to say Tottenham have struggled for consistency this season, but they are looking to win three games in a row for the first time since the start of October.
Getting to work 💪 pic.twitter.com/T3mrMV203f
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 6, 2025
Bradley: We need to be better with the ball
19:36 , Matt VerriConor Bradley starts tonight, with Trent Alexander-Arnold struggling with a thigh injury.
The 21-year-old has been giving his pre-match thoughts, admitting Liverpool have to be much better on the ball tonight.
"Disappointed to get beat 1-0 [in the first leg] and we need to ready for tonight,” Bradley said.
“Hopefully, we can work hard and get a result to go with it.
"We need to be better with the ball. At Tottenham, we didn't keep the ball that well, but hopefully we can overturn that 1-0 deficit.”
No away goals rule
19:25 , Matt VerriUnfortunately for Tottenham, the away goals rule is not in place in the Carabao Cup.
It means Liverpool know any one-goal win would take this to extra-time - anything better than that and they are heading to Wembley.
⚽️ The goal that seperates the sides going into tonight's second leg! 👇#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/wHJa5U1b6H
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 6, 2025
In the building!
19:16 , Matt VerriSpurs have arrived at Anfield...
Arriving at Anfield 👋 pic.twitter.com/mHkXXK5AFX
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) February 6, 2025
Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield
19:10 , Matt VerriThe biggest surprise in the Spurs line-up is a first rest for Pedro Porro since Boxing Day, with Archie Gray switching to right-back and new signing
Kevin Danso slotting straight in at centre-half. Mathys Tel starts among the substitutes but I'm sure we'll see him at some point.
Pape Matar Sarr is preferred to Lucas Bergvall, who scored the controversial winner in the first leg.
Tottenham team news
19:03 , Matt VerriTottenham XI: Kinsky, Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Bissouma, Sarr, Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son
Subs: Austin, Porro, Reguilon, Bergvall, Ajayi, Cassanova, Olusesi, Moore, Tel
Liverpool team news
19:01 , Matt VerriLiverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez
Subs: Jaros, Endo, Diaz, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Elliott, Jota, Tsimikas, Quansah
Not long now...
18:50 , Matt VerriAround ten minutes to go until we get all the team news from Anfield.
Sounds like Curtis Jones could be starting for Liverpool, with changes too at right-back and in goal.
For Spurs, we’ll soon found how if Ange Postecoglou has opted to hand out a couple of debuts from the off.
Postecoglou delivers Tel verdict
18:37 , Matt VerriThere have been suggestions that Mathys Tel is keen to play more as a central striker at Tottenham, but Ange Postecoglou has made it clear the teenager could be moved across the front three.
The Spurs boss said: “Oh mate, Archie wanted to be a central midfielder, so who knows where Mathys will end up.
“Look, he's got the attributes to play, I think, as a nine for sure, but he's played wide really successfully as well.
“That's the beauty of him coming into us, at the moment we're going to need him probably in all of those areas because it's fair to say, as much as we've got issues at the back, we've probably got bigger issues in the front third at the moment, we're missing three wingers and our striker.”
Atmosphere building...
18:17 , Matt VerriFans are starting to arrive at Anfield ahead of a huge night.
You do feel the first goal is particularly important tonight. If Liverpool get it, it’s tough to see how Tottenham can stop them.
But if Spurs can take a 2-0 lead on aggregate... game on!
Semi-final settings ✨ pic.twitter.com/jjbKJa3boE
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 6, 2025
Arsenal fall short
18:05 , Matt VerriThere will be no north London derby in the Carabao Cup final.
On a night when Arsenal needed goals, it ended up being their defence that let them down.
Just three days before the second leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final, Arsenal had shackled Erling Haaland and the Manchester City attack on their way to a 5-1 win.
But they were all over the place at Newcastle last night as Eddie Howe’s side booked themselves a place in next month’s final at Wembley.
It is difficult to remember a time when Gabriel and William Saliba have looked so shaky at the back and they, more than anyone in the Arsenal squad, will be glad to see the back of Newcastle and replace it with the sunshine of Dubai.
Alexander Isak tormented Arsenal’s centre-backs in the first leg and it was the same story, here.
How they could line up...
17:57 , Matt VerriPredicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz
Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison
Liverpool with work to do...
17:48 , Matt VerriLiverpool trail 1-0 on aggregate heading into tonight’s clash.
Lucas Bergvall’s late goal gave Tottenham a surprise win on home soil, with that strike coming about a minute after he could well have been sent off.
Leaves the tie perfectly poised at the halfway stage.
Stage is set!
17:39Can expect Anfield to be bouncing in a couple of hours...
Anfield awaits 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/IdObWBLyD3
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 6, 2025
How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham
17:28 , Matt VerriTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
ITV 1 and STV will offer free-to-air coverage.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
ITVX and the STV Player will offer a live stream service.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here, featuring expert analysis from Dan Kilpatrick at Anfield!
Slot: If you play for Liverpool you need to win
16:54 , Matt VerriArne Slot has insisted Liverpool’s narrow aggregate lead does not mean they need to approach tonight’s clash differently.
The Liverpool boss said on Wednesday: “No, I don't think I have to prepare them differently than in any other game.
“Because from now until the end of the season, it's been already the whole season, and I think as long as Liverpool exists, if you play in this shirt, you need to win the game.
“That's for tomorrow, that's for Sunday, that's for Wednesday afterwards and the game after that.”
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Liverpool vs Tottenham prediction
12:49 , Jonathan GorrieSpurs are in a good position, though perhaps not good enough.
With defensive injuries, it’s difficult to see them stopping a free-flowing Liverpool at Anfield.
Sadly for Spurs, Liverpool look more than capable of overturning the deficit.
Ange Postecoglou not hiding from 'massive' chance to 'accelerate' Spurs plans
12:46 , Jonathan GorrieAnge Postecoglou has tended to play down the significance of the domestic cups at Tottenham, previously insisting that they were not a quick fix for the club's problems, but the head coach made no attempt to dismiss the potential impact of beating Liverpool on Thursday.
Spurs take a 1-0 lead to Anfield for their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg and, for Postecoglou, reaching Wembley at the expense of Arne Slot's Premier League leaders would be transformative for his young side, particularly as they have already beaten both Manchester clubs in previous rounds.
When is the Carabao Cup final 2025?
10:36 , Jonathan GorrieThe 2025 Carabao Cup final will take place on Sunday 16 March, 2025 at Wembley Stadium in London.
A kick-off time is yet to have been confirmed and Newcastle await tonight’s winner.
Mathys Tel will be a Tottenham player next season, says Ange Postecolgou
06:06 , Jonathan GorrieAnge Postecoglou says deadline-day signing Mathys Tel "will be a Tottenham player" next season, insisting: "I didn't bring him here for six months."
Tel joined Spurs from Bayern Munich on loan until the end of the campaign, with an option for the club to make the deal permanent for £45.7million in the summer.
Tottenham predicted XI
Wednesday 5 February 2025 23:00 , Alex YoungAnge Postecoglou likely faces a choice between Danso and Archie Gray alongside Ben Davies at centre-back after revealing that Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are not fit enough to start at Anfield.
Radu Dragusin is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Tel could come straight into the front three, although Postecoglou has tended to use Dejan Kulusevski on the right wing during big games and is unlikely to leave out either No9 Richarlison or captain Heung-min Son.
Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are jostling for three spots in midfield, with the Senegalese a possible impact sub again.
Spurs predicted XI (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Son, Richarlison
The winner tomorrow night will face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
The Magpies completed a resounding 4-0 win over Arsenal tonight.
You can read our match report and Arsenal player ratings now.
Postecoglou defends transfer business and denies Tel 'rejection'
Wednesday 5 February 2025 21:00 , Alex YoungAnge Postecoglou has defended Tottenham's 11th-hour transfer business, saying Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel could not have been brought to the club any sooner.
The Spurs head coach spent January repeatedly calling for "help" for his depleted squad, with Danso finally joining on loan from Lens on Sunday before Tel joined on loan from Bayern Munich shortly before Monday's 11pm deadline.
"They couldn't be [signed any sooner], that's the thing," the Australian said ahead of Thursday's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool.
"That would be me saying, 'You know, the club didn't really care about our situation, they just twiddled their thumbs until the 29th and then went for it'.”
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed new signings Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso are available to make their Tottenham debuts tomorrow night.
Postecoglou said: “Kevin and Mathys are both available. They have trained and are cleared to play so they are all good.”
Asked whether Danso will start, Postecoglou said: “He will play. Whether he starts or not we will take a look because we have another game three days later and that has been our existence for quite a while now.
“You are right, Ben (Davies), Archie, Pedro (Porro) has played every minute of football we have had for the last three months, but the boys are handling it okay and the performances are still stacking up.
“It’s great to get Kevin in. He is ready to play. Whether he starts or he comes on we will make a decision. It’s really important he is part of it now because losing Radu was a massive blow so having him available is good.”
Ange Postecoglou confirms Micky van de Ven absence
Wednesday 5 February 2025 16:58 , Alex YoungTottenham have been dealt a major injury blow after Ange Postecoglou confirmed Micky van de Ven has been ruled out of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Liverpool.
Van de Ven played 45 minutes against Elfsborg last Thursday on his return after seven weeks out with the hamstring injury he suffered against Chelsea on December 8.
Postecoglou said on Sunday that Van de Ven was not in the Spurs squad for their 2-0 win at Brentford because he wanted to “manage his minutes” and “keep him on ice” for this week.
But, speaking ahead of the trip to Anfield on Thursday, Postecoglou said: "It's a bit of everything.
“He doesn't feel like... he got through the game no problem, but we had a look at the figures towards the physical [side] you know, he does a lot more training and he got through it OK, but the Premier League's a whole different beast.”
Early Tottenham team news vs Liverpool
Wednesday 5 February 2025 14:12 , Jonathan GorrieMicky van de Ven has been ruled out in a major blow for Spurs.
The defender only recently made his long-awaited comeback from a hamstring injury but missed the win over Brentford on Sunday as the club look to manage his minutes.
Sadly for Tottenham, the Dutchman will not feature at Anfield.
Early Liverpool team news vs Tottenham
Wednesday 5 February 2025 12:48 , Jonathan GorrieArne Slot has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss Thursday night’s Carabao Cup meeting with Tottenham.
The defender asked to be withdrawn following a strain as Liverpool beat Bournemouth 2-0 on Saturday to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
While the Reds boss sounded hopeful the leg injury isn’t serious for the England international, Slot confirmed Alexander-Arnold will miss the visit of Spurs.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: How to watch Carabao Cup semi-final
Wednesday 5 February 2025 11:53 , Jonathan GorrieTV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
ITV 1 and STV will offer free-to-air coverage.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
ITVX and the STV Player will offer a live stream service.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Welcome
Wednesday 5 February 2025 11:28 , Jonathan GorrieGood morning and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Tottenham.
Kick-off from Anfield is at 8pm GMT on Thursday 6 February, 2025.
