Liverpool secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tottenham at Anfield, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 4-1 on aggregate.
Goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk sealed a remarkably comfortable win for Arne Slot’s side.
The reigning champions dominated proceedings, with Tottenham failing to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
The result sets up a Wembley showdown with Newcastle United on March 16, as Liverpool aim to defend their Carabao Cup crown.
Liverpool dismantled a poor Tottenham team at Anfield on Thursday night
Reuters
The hosts controlled the match from the outset, with virtually the entire game played in Tottenham’s half as the visitors struggled to escape Liverpool’s relentless pressure.
Dominik Szoboszlai thought he had broken the deadlock on the half-hour mark, but his finish beyond Antonin Kinsky was ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough came just minutes later when Cody Gakpo fired home at the back post after 34 minutes, converting Mohamed Salah’s cross to cancel out Tottenham’s first-leg advantage.
Spurs’ evening worsened when Richarlison was forced off with injury on the stroke of half-time, having managed just 15 touches during his brief appearance.
The Brazilian striker had earlier been involved in a controversial incident with Van Dijk, where the Liverpool captain escaped punishment after appearing to catch him with an elbow to the neck.
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Liverpool nearly doubled their lead before the break, but Kinsky denied Salah’s bouncing volley.
The second half began with Liverpool extending their lead through Salah’s emphatic penalty, after Kinsky brought down Darwin Nunez in the box.
The Egyptian confidently smashed his spot-kick into the top corner, putting the hosts ahead in the tie for the first time.
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Ange Postecoglou was left devastated by Tottenham’s crumbling
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Liverpool maintained their dominance, barely allowing Tottenham time to breathe under their relentless pressing.
With 15 minutes remaining, Szoboszlai made it 3-0 following an outstanding team move, as substitute Alexis Mac Allister found Conor Bradley’s run before the full-back set up the Hungarian to finish coolly.
Tottenham’s only notable response came when Heung-Min Son struck the crossbar, but by then Liverpool were in complete control of the tie.
Van Dijk put the finishing touch on Liverpool’s dominant display with 10 minutes remaining, powering home a header from Mac Allister’s corner delivery.
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Liverpool destroyed Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield
Reuters
The Liverpool captain received a standing ovation from the 60,000-strong Anfield crowd when substituted late in the match, having helped guide his team to within one game of another trophy.
Tottenham fans headed for the exits as Liverpool supporters celebrated their side’s comprehensive victory.
The result means Liverpool will face Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16, where they will attempt to retain the trophy they won last year under previous manager Jurgen Klopp.
The triumph could mark the first piece of silverware for new manager Arne Slot in what is shaping up to be a potentially special season for the Merseyside club.
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