Anfield witnessed a masterclass on Thursday night as Liverpool dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 4-0, overturning their first-leg deficit in emphatic fashion to book a spot in the League Cup final.
The victory, fueled by goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk, underlined Liverpool’s growing dominance under Arne Slot. Meanwhile, for Tottenham, the crushing defeat only intensified concerns about their faltering campaign under Ange Postecoglou.
A Statement Win for Liverpool
Liverpool has been in blistering form this season, blending attacking brilliance with defensive resilience. Slot, in his debut season, has built a side that looks capable of competing on multiple fronts.
The Reds, currently leading the Premier League table and advancing comfortably in the Champions League, now have their sights set on the first trophy of the season. With a League Cup final against Newcastle on March 16, Liverpool is perfectly positioned to set the tone for an ambitious campaign.
What made Thursday’s victory even more impressive was the tactical discipline on display. Despite missing key players, Liverpool adapted seamlessly, showcasing their squad depth and ability to overpower opposition defenses.
Tottenham’s Downward Spiral Continues
Tottenham’s League Cup exit is just the latest blow in what has become a frustrating season for Postecoglou’s men. Once seen as title contenders in the early months, Spurs have struggled with inconsistency, injuries, and defensive frailties.
Missing several key players, including James Maddison and Brennan Johnson, Spurs looked out of ideas against a relentless Liverpool attack. The introduction of new signings like Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel did little to stabilize the team, and the absence of attacking firepower left them unable to pose a real threat.
The club’s last major trophy came in 2008, and this latest failure only increases the pressure on Postecoglou. With Spurs sitting mid-table in the league and an FA Cup fixture against Aston Villa looming, speculation is mounting about whether the Australian will survive the season.
How the Match Unfolded
Liverpool started cautiously but grew into the game, testing Tottenham’s shaky defense before Gakpo opened the scoring with a composed finish from Salah’s delivery. The Egyptian doubled Liverpool’s advantage early in the second half with a penalty, capitalizing on a rash challenge on Darwin Núñez.
From there, it was all Liverpool. Szoboszlai added a third with a clinical strike, assisted by young defender Connor Bradley, before Van Dijk put the finishing touch on the performance with a header from a well-worked set piece.
Eyes on Wembley
With the League Cup final set, Liverpool will face Newcastle in a showdown that promises fireworks. While Newcastle aims to end a 56-year trophy drought, Liverpool’s focus remains on stacking silverware in what could be a historic season.
For Spurs, the inquest begins. Can they turn their season around, or is this the beginning of another period of frustration for the North London side?
