Tottenham scored, but Dominik Szoboszlai’s late strike still sealed a 3-1 win for Liverpool in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield. Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo gave the Reds a two-goal cushion before Conor Gallagher pulled one back for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Then Szoboszlai drilled the winner through the fingertips of Martin Dubravka in stoppage time, ending the game 3-1 to Liverpool.
The Goals Come Fast
The match opened with a near miss for Spurs. Lucas Bergvall should have slotted Tottenham in front early, but his close-range shot was kept out by Giorgi Mamardashvili’s legs. Liverpool punished that wastefulness within 21 minutes when Mac Allister curled the ball high into the net for the opener.
Mohammed Kudus then volleyed high and wide after smart work by Destiny Udogie before half-time. Liverpool were simply more clinical, summed up by the way Gakpo slammed in a second in front of the Kop to cap an excellent Liverpool move. Gakpo’s goal doubled the lead at 54 minutes.
Conor Gallagher nodded the ball in from close range at 69 minutes to pull one back for Spurs. Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool were still ahead, but the tension remained until the final seconds.
The Late Finish
Szoboszlai’s stunner sealed it for the Reds in added time. There was no stopping his effort, arrowed beyond Dubravka. The goal gave Liverpool the win and ended Tottenham’s goal drought against top-flight opposition.
The Match Moments
Here is how the key moments fell:
- 11th minute: Bergvall’s attempt kept out by Mamardashvili
- 21st minute: Mac Allister curls the opener high into the net
- 32nd minute: Kudus fails to find the target when well placed
- 54th minute: Gakpo fires the ball home to double the lead
- 69th minute: Gallagher nods the ball in from close range
- 86th minute: Amazing save by Mamardashvili denies Marmoush
- 90+1 minute: Szoboszlai’s stunner seals it for the Reds
What Iraola Said
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola spoke about the goals after the game. “Three goals we scored were very good goals; the origin of the goals for the first and second ones was also very important for us,” he said. “The third one is a worldie. With other players you are thinking it is too far. With Dom you are thinking he might score.”
He also praised Lewis Koumas, who produced a mature display in midfield alongside Trey Nyoni. “I said in the week and say it for a reason; I see it in training every day,” Iraola said. “The energy that he shows is contagious for the rest. When they see the ones up front doing it, they are forced to go from behind.”
What Redknapp Said
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp offered his verdict on both teams. “That’s the best I’ve seen them,” he said of Liverpool. “Obviously, Tottenham played into their hands as they’re trying to play out from the back. But the number of times they (Liverpool) won it back because they were so quick and aggressive to get after them. That’s what Andoni did at Bournemouth and that’s what he’s trying to do at Liverpool. It will take time, but they’ll certainly get it.”
Redknapp also saw positives for Tottenham despite the loss. “From Tottenham’s point of view, there were positives,” he said. “They had a sharpness to their game. Bergvall did well. There’s lots to look forward to for the weekend. It was a better performance. On another day, they could have had two or three goals. Liverpool just had enough.”
De Zerbi’s Response
Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi addressed the result. “We created chances to win the game,” he said. “It’s not a very good moment, but I believe in my players, and I told them five minutes ago to stay calm.”
He admitted Spurs need a change. “We need a click,” De Zerbi said. “I don’t know if we are able to make this click Saturday, but playing like this and believing in ourselves and our style of play, I think we’ll win many games and score many goals because the qualities of my players is very high.”
De Zerbi acknowledged the disappointment. “There are many, many positives,” he said. “We are sorry, disappointed and frustrated for the results. I think we didn’t deserve to lose, but it’s the first season. We are building totally different things with me. I believe in my players, this project. I have no doubts. I believe in this club, but now we are not so lucky. It’s not good to say too many ‘ifs’ but we played very well this evening.”
The Numbers Behind the Match
- Match: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur, Carabao Cup Round 3
- Venue: Anfield
- Score: Liverpool 3, Tottenham 1
- Goals for Liverpool: Mac Allister (21st minute), Gakpo (54th minute), Szoboszlai (91st minute)
- Goal for Tottenham: Gallagher (69th minute)
- Save of the night: Mamardashvili denying Marmoush (86th minute)
What Comes Next
Liverpool advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup. Tottenham supporters at least bagged their first goal of the campaign against top-flight opposition. Richarlison was out of the squad for the match, which made De Zerbi’s consolation less than complete.
The weekend league fixture looms. Tottenham will hope the performance at Anfield translates into points against a Premier League rival. Liverpool will look to build on the intensity they showed against Fulham on Saturday, even if that game exposed some issues.
Szoboszlai’s late strike was the difference, and it was a worldie.
See the video the story is built around at Skysports.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.