Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield, trailing 1-0 from the first encounter. With their eyes firmly on a 15th final appearance, the Reds are ready to turn the tide on Thursday night.
A two-goal victory will see them through, but Spurs come into the game with momentum from a recent win of their own, setting the stage for a thrilling clash.
Match Preview
In what promises to be an exciting second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, Liverpool will be looking to overturn a narrow deficit as they host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. The first leg saw Spurs edge ahead, thanks to a controversial late winner from Lucas Bergvall, who was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card before scoring. Liverpool, led by Arne Slot, were far from their best in North London and will know that they must improve if they are to turn this tie around.
Liverpool’s hopes of a 15th final appearance in the competition are still very much alive, with a two-goal win required to progress. Despite trailing, Jurgen Klopp’s side remains the bookmakers’ favourite to retain their EFL Cup crown, having claimed their 10th win in the competition last season. At home, the Reds are a force to be reckoned with, unbeaten in 15 matches and scoring at least twice in each of those games. Their form will give them confidence heading into this crucial encounter.
However, Tottenham will be no pushovers. Spurs come into this match leading the tie and having kept four clean sheets in their last eight games. Under manager Ange Postecoglou, they are determined to end their long wait for silverware, and this could be their best opportunity for a while. Spurs have not won at Anfield since 2011, and their poor record there will weigh heavily on their minds, especially with the prospect of facing Newcastle United in the final.
Liverpool’s recent form has been solid, highlighted by a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Salah, keeping them six points clear at the top of the Premier League. Their upcoming fixtures, including a trip to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup and a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, will be vital in their quest for an unprecedented quadruple.
This second leg is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams having much to play for. Liverpool will need to find their rhythm and capitalise on their home advantage, while Spurs will aim to protect their slim lead and take another step closer to ending their trophy drought. The stage is set for a dramatic night at Anfield.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur : Team News
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the second leg after he sustained a leg injury during their recent Premier League win at Bournemouth. The absence of the influential right-back leaves a hole in the team’s defense, but manager Arne Slot is expected to rely on his experienced squad to fill the gap.
Alisson Becker will remain in goal, and Slot has yet to confirm his starting lineup, but with key players like Salah and Gakpo in fine form, the Reds will look to their best XI to overturn the deficit and advance to the final.
On the other side, Tottenham’s injury troubles continue. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero are both unlikely to feature, which could leave Spurs vulnerable at the back. However, new signings Kevin and Mathys are both available and could add fresh energy to the team.
Despite missing some key players, Spurs will be hoping to exploit Liverpool’s weakness and maintain their advantage. James Maddison and Dominic Solanke will remain sidelined, further stretching Spurs’ resources as they head into the crucial second leg.
Key Stats
- Liverpool’s Home Form: The Reds have been invincible at Anfield in recent months, winning 13 of their last 15 home games across all competitions.
- Carabao Cup Record: Liverpool have overcome deficits in two of their last three League Cup semi-finals, making their comeback potential well-known.
- Cody Gakpo’s Contribution: Gakpo has netted four goals in this season’s competition, marking himself as one of Liverpool’s most vital players in the cup run.
- Tottenham at Anfield: Spurs have not won at Anfield since 2011, and their record in the last 14 visits includes just three draws.
- Mohamed Salah’s Influence: Salah has had a hand in 16 goals in 17 appearances against Spurs, including 12 goals and 4 assists.
Liverpool have a strong chance of turning the tie around at Anfield, where their form has been exceptional. Despite trailing by one goal, Arne Slot’s side are determined to secure their place in the final. Tottenham will face a tough challenge at Anfield, and with key players like Salah and Gakpo in form, Liverpool will look to complete the comeback and extend their record number of EFL Cup final appearances.
