Liverpool delivered a dominant performance at Anfield, overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit to thrash Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 and secure their place in a record-extending 15th League Cup final. The victory sets up a tantalizing showdown against Newcastle United at Wembley, as the Reds aim to defend their title and add to their storied history in the competition.
Spurs entered the match buoyed by Newcastle’s triumph over Arsenal the previous night, but any hopes of holding onto their narrow advantage were quickly extinguished by Liverpool’s relentless attack.
Liverpool dominate from the start
From the opening whistle, Liverpool applied pressure, but Spurs’ defense, bolstered by new signing Kevin Danso, held firm in the early stages. Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky made routine saves from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, while Dominik Szoboszlai had an effort ruled out for offside.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance, Spurs found occasional openings on the counterattack. However, the visitors’ resistance finally broke in the 34th minute when Salah’s brilliant outside-of-the-boot cross bypassed Núñez and found Cody Gakpo, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to level the aggregate score.
Salah Leads the Charge
Liverpool nearly took the lead just before halftime, but Kinsky produced a stunning save to tip Salah’s powerful volley onto the crossbar. The hosts carried that momentum into the second half and were rewarded when Núñez was brought down in the box after touching the ball past Kinsky. Salah stepped up and converted the penalty with confidence, firing into the top left corner.
From that point on, Liverpool were firmly in control. They continued to pepper Spurs’ goal, with Gakpo’s strike tipped onto the post by Kinsky and Ryan Gravenberch’s long-range effort ricocheting off the upright.
More goals seal the victory
Liverpool’s dominance soon paid off again when Conor Bradley played in Szoboszlai, who calmly slotted home to make it 3-0. Spurs had a rare opportunity to pull one back when Son Heung-min hit the crossbar, but their misery was sealed in the 82nd minute when Virgil van Dijk rose above Danso to head in a fourth goal from an Alexis Mac Allister corner.
Liverpool march to Wembley
With the win, Liverpool—record holders with 10 League Cup titles—are now aiming for back-to-back trophies for the first time since their legendary run of four consecutive wins between 1981 and 1984. They’ll face a tough challenge in the form of Newcastle, who are seeking their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
Spurs in crisis mode
For Tottenham, the result adds to their growing list of disappointments this season. Manager Ange Postecoglou will be under mounting pressure to deliver success in both the FA Cup and UEFA Europa League to salvage the campaign and potentially secure his job beyond the season.
Liverpool’s journey to the final is complete, but the bigger question remains: can they carry this momentum into Wembley and lift the trophy once again?
