Liverpool delivered a performance to remember as they overturned a first-leg deficit to storm past Tottenham and book their spot in the Carabao Cup final.
Arne Slot’s side wer trailing 1-0 from the first encounter but took complete control at Anfield, dismantling Spurs by a 4-0 scoreline in a display of attacking brilliance. Goals from Cody Gakpo, Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk ensured that the Reds will now head to Wembley on March 16, where Newcastle United await in the final.
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The atmosphere at Anfield crackled with anticipation, and the home side wasted no time setting the tempo. With Caoimhin Kelleher in goal and Conor Bradley filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool dictated play early on. Darwin Nunez saw an effort blocked before rising highest to meet a Gakpo cross, only to direct his header straight at Antonin Kinsky.
Szoboszlai then found the net, but the offside flag cut short any celebrations. The Reds kept knocking on the door, and finally, in the 34th minute, they kicked it open. Salah’s audacious outside-of-the-boot cross found Gakpo, who coolly controlled a half-volley past Kinsky to level the tie on aggregate.
With Spurs pinned in their own half, Liverpool smelt blood and resumed their siege after the break. Kinsky pulled off a miraculous point-blank save to deny Gakpo, but minutes later the goalkeeper turned villain. Beaten to a teasing through ball by Nunez, he clattered into the Uruguayan, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Up stepped Salah, dispatching his penalty into the top corner with his signature composure.
Liverpool’s momentum was unstoppable, with Nunez going close with a side-netting effort and Gakpo’s long-range drive kissing the post. Ryan Gravenberch then hit the woodwork himself, but the third goal was imminent. Mac Allister – who was fresh off the bench – played in Bradley, who unselfishly teed up Szoboszlai. The Hungarian playmaker made no mistake, slotting past Kinsky with ease to all but seal the result.
Not content with three goals, the Reds added the final flourish in classic fashion. Van Dijk, a colossus at both ends, rose above Spurs’ defence to power home a towering header, sending Anfield into raptures. With 60,395 in attendance witnessing an emphatic comeback, Liverpool’s place in the final was never in doubt.
For Tottenham, it was a night to forget. For Liverpool, it was a statement. The Reds are back at Wembley, one game away from adding another trophy to their illustrious collection.