Liverpool crush Tottenham to reach League Cup final

This triumph at Anfield not only showcased Liverpool's attacking prowess but also their defensive solidity under the guidance of Arne Slot.

The match began with both teams showing intent, but it was Liverpool who quickly took control. Despite Tottenham's new signing Kevin Danso making his debut in defence and goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky making several saves, the tide turned decisively in the 34th minute when Cody Gakpo scored from a Mohamed Salah assist, resetting the tie.

Liverpool's relentless pressure continued post-interval, with Salah converting a penalty to double the lead.

The Reds' dominance was further underlined when Dominik Szoboszlai found the net, and the scoring was rounded off by Virgil van Dijk's header from an Alexis Mac Allister corner.

Throughout the game, Tottenham managed only one shot on target, which struck the bar.

Arne Slot, reflecting on the match, emphasized the importance of his team's work ethic off the ball. "Yeah, very impressive. Tottenham are conceding goals because they have so many injury problems," he said.

"But for us to have so much of the ball that it takes them 80 minutes to have a shot on target doesn't tell you anything about Tottenham. It should tell you a lot about our work rate without the ball.

"I think that is what stood out for me, playing against a team that is so good at creating chances. Only conceding one shot is, in the end, a good accomplishment."

On the other side, Tottenham's manager Ange Postecoglou was candid about his team's performance. "Tough night. Credit to Liverpool, they were way too good for us tonight. We never really got to grips with the game with or without the ball.

"We just allowed them to get control pretty early and it made it difficult for us to get in the game," he admitted.

He further noted the team's failure to play to their strengths, expressing disappointment over their passive approach.

Looking ahead, Postecoglou remains focused on other competitions, stating, "We still have competitions to play for starting on Sunday. With the opportunities we do have still, we have to tackle them in our way rather than finding different ways to win games."

This victory sets up Liverpool for a chance to defend their League Cup title against Newcastle United in March at Wembley.

For Tottenham, the focus now shifts to other fronts in the season, with their manager under scrutiny to deliver results in the remaining competitions.

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