Yahoo Sports Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup result and reaction as Lucas Bergvall scores late winner
Lucas Bergvall struck an 86th-minute winner to earn Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Liverpool and a slender advantage after a cagey Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Spurs were without 10 players for this tie and had lost 6-3 to Arne Slot’s irresistible Premier League leaders last month, but turned the form table on its head - albeit with a touch of fortune.
Match-winner Bergvall was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas moments before he fired home his first goal for the club to earn Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou a much-needed win.
Postecoglou had faced external pressure after a nightmare run of form amid a horror injury crisis, which deepened with Rodrigo Bentancur forced off early amid worrying scenes, but his injury-hit team with debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky managed to shut out Liverpool to head to Anfield next month with a narrow lead.
Relive the Carabao Cup action with our live blog below:
Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE
Tottenham defeat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg
Delaney: ‘Ignore the controversy, Spurs have made one thing clear'
Rodrigo Bentancur latest as Tottenham player provides update
Arne Slot responds as Liverpool rage over Lucas Bergvall goal
‘This is your game’: Ange Postecoglou launches into VAR rant
86’ GOAL! Bergvall sends Spurs ahead (TOT 1-0 LIV)
78’ NO GOAL! Solanke is judged to be offside (TOT 0-0 LIV)
Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 - 0 Liverpool FC
Ignore the controversy, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have made one thing clear
09:15 , Miguel Delaney
It’s a bit premature to say this was a night when Tottenham’s young team came of age, but this 1-0 victory over Liverpool was an impressive show of maturity when they most needed it.
An 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall appropriately settled it, crowning the fine work of fellow teenager Archie Gray. Ange Postecoglou couldn’t be more effusive afterwards, and that’s understandable. It might well save Tottenham’s season, just as Liverpool’s has a slight sense of lag. The Premier League leaders were still very energised about the controversial Bergvall goal that won this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with complaints that the goalscorer should have had a second booking, eventually seeing Arne Slot unusually lose his cool.
Ignore the controversy, Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham have made one thing clear
Rodrigo Bentancur latest as Tottenham player provides update after ‘worrying’ incident
08:45 , Jamie Braidwood
Rodrigo Bentancur has posted a positive update from hospital after the Tottenham midfielder was forced off the pitch during the Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool with a suspected head injury.
Bentancur was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital with his manager Ange Postecoglou confirming that he was conscious despite the “worrying” incident.
And the Uruguay later confirmed that he was well in a post on his Instagram story, accompanied with a picture of him in hospital, after Tottenham beat Liverpool 1-0.
Bentancur latest as Spurs player provides update on worrying incident
Arne Slot responds as Liverpool rage over Lucas Bergvall goal after red card reprieve
08:15 , Jamie Braidwood
Liverpool boss Arne Slot bemoaned the decision by referee Stuart Attwell not to send off Tottenham match-winner Lucas Bergvall moments before he struck the only goal of their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The already-booked Bergvall avoided a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas as the Reds counter-attacked in the 84th minute.
Slot and his Liverpool players cut frustrated figures, but their fury increased within 120 seconds when Bergvall rifled home from Dominic Solanke’s lay-off to earn injury-hit Spurs a precious 1-0 victory ahead of next month’s second leg at Anfield.
Arne Slot responds as Liverpool rage over Lucas Bergvall goal after red card reprieve
‘This is your game’: Ange Postecoglou launches into VAR rant as history made
07:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Ange Postecoglou asked why VAR is not being questioned more by the English public after Stuart Attwell’s historic public announcement during Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Liverpool.
Lucas Bergvall’s 86th-minute winner earned Spurs a 1-0 win in their home tie ahead of next month’s return leg at Anfield.
But they had earlier been denied an opener when Dominic Solanke’s strike was ruled out after VAR had checked for offside.
‘This is your game’: Ange Postecoglou launches into VAR rant as history made
Kinsky on who he was celebrating with at the end:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:09 , Mike Jones
“It was my sister because yesterday I got to know there is a possibility of me being in goal today so I called them immediately, my sister came, her boyfriend, my parents, I was so happy to have them here on such a special night.
“That was him [his dad, a former goalkeeper, shown in the stands] I hope he’s proud. The whole family, my grandfather was also a goalkeeper, he was watching as well. I hope they are all happy.”
Antonin Kinsky speaking to Sky Sports:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:05 , Mike Jones
“I would say I’m a big dreamer, I always make my own visions of the future. Probably this dream I have never dreamt this one yeah, amazing.
“I’m really happy for the whole club. I came three days ago, everything worked so good, all the people are kind. I’m so happy for them and the whole team but this is just the first leg.”
More from Postecoglou
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:01 , Mike Jones
The Tottenham boss also gave his thoughts on Antonin Kinsky’s debut, Dominic Solanke and what he thought of the VAR announcement.
Postecoglou said: “That is a big occasion for a young man [Antonin Kinsky making his debut]. He handled himself outstandingly.”
On Dominic Solanke he added: “I don’t know where he gets the energy from. He keeps soldiering on. An unbelievable finish, I thought we deserved it on the night. We deserved the victory and really pleased the players get rewards.
”If people think that announcement [of VAR’s decision to rule out Solanke’s goal] added anything to the game tonight then I am sorry. It used to be you put your flag up and the game goes on, but anyway.”
Ange Postecoglou speaking to Sky Sports:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:58 , Mike Jones
“We are having to deal with adversity all the time. We started really well and then lost a key player. This lot are nothing if not resiliant and they keep going and they did today.
“It is incredible when you think we had a couple of 18-year-olds out there. I have just seen so much growth. I have no doubt we will get through this period and get players back, what I’ve found in the meantime is we have some real players to help us to be the team we want to be.”
Van Dijk on whether Liverpool were below their best:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:54 , Mike Jones
“At times I think we could have done better, that’s part of football as well. We try to play our best game, every one of us and at times we played through them nicely and created some one v ones and some dangerous moments. They were able to defend it better than they did when we played here a couple of weeks ago.
“We move on, we take it on the chin, it’s half-time, we have another 90 plus minutes to go and I’m really looking forward to them.”
More from Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:52 , Mike Jones
“We played against an intense team with good attacking players, they can make it difficult, keep running.
“We created good moments, good opportunities at times, not really clear-cut chances in my opinion but still enough that we could have scored, unfortunately but we didn’t.
“It’s half-time now and I’m looking forward to the game back at Anfield.”
Ange Postecoglou on Rodrigo Bentancur
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:52 , Mike Jones
Speaking to Sky Sports, Postecoglou said: “I don’t have all the information. My understanding is he is conscious and he was conscious when he got to the dressing room. We took him to hospital to get him checked over.
“It was worrying and always a concern but from what I know hopefully he will be OK.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk speaking to Sky Sports:
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:50 , Mike Jones
“I think it was quite obvious it was going to be a second yellow [for Lucas Bergvall]. I think it was pretty clear. It was a coincidence and a minute later he scores the winner.
“It is what it is. He [the referee] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. He thinks he didn’t but it was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow.
“There’s a linesman there, a fourth official there, there’s VAR, a referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying this is the reason why we lost tonight but it was a big moment in the game.”
Tottenham’s impressive maturity could be the key to saving their season
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:39 , Mike Jones
It’s a bit early to say this was a night when Tottenham Hotspur’s young team came of age, but this was an impressive show of maturity when they most needed it. It might well save their season, just as Liverpool’s has a slight sense of lag. The Premier League leaders were still very energised about the Lucas Bergvall goal that won this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with complaints that the goalscorer should have had a second booking eventually seeing Arne Slot unusually losing his cool.
It was symbolic of a display where Liverpool were nowhere near the smoothness of the opening months of the campaign. Duly, this was the first time this season they went two games without a win, after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
Tottenham’s impressive maturity could be the key to saving their season
FT Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:19 , Mike Jones
Aged 18 years and 341 days, Lucas Bergvall is Tottenham’s youngest goalscorer in the League Cup since Gareth Bale vs Middlesbrough in September 2007 (18 years 72 days).
FT Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:10 , Mike Jones
The second leg will take place on 6th February and Tottenham have a 1-0 advantage. They are one step closer to Wembley.
Ange Postecoglou must be overjoyed by that result. It was a more composed performance from his team.
Full-time! Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:06 , Mike Jones
90+7 mins: There goes the final whistle and Tottenham have pulled off an outstanding win.
It seemed unlikely that Ange Postecoglou’s men could hurt this impressive Liverpool side but the Reds seemed to have an off night and were punished by a late winner from Lucas Bergvall.
Spurs win the game and take a one-goal lead into the second leg at Anfield. Will that be enough to take them to Wembley?
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:01 , Mike Jones
90+3 mins: The Tottenham fans are singing and cheering after this decent performance from their team. It has been a fairly even match in truth but the hosts have edged ahead and now look content to cling onto their lead.
Darwin Nunez almost gets Liverpool level. Luis Diaz pokes in a cross that Nunez turns towards goal only for Kinsky to leap to the right and push the ball behind.
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:57 , Mike Jones
90 mins: Seven minutes of added time to play before the end of this game.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool (Lucas Bergvall, 86’)
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:54 , Mike Jones
Huge!
This one is going to stand. After another short break for a knock, Tottenham get the match going again and play down the right wing.
A long ball comes up to Dominic Solanke who shrugs off Ibrahima Konate and collects the ball. He rolls it across to Lucas Bergvall who slots a first time effort into the bottom corner and gives Spurs the lead.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:48 , Mike Jones
81 mins: Inside the last 10 minutes of play now. Will there be a winner? Liverpool’s substitutions have brought them a degree of control but Spurs are starting to push forward again.
NO GOAL! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:47 , Mike Jones
78 min: VAR wasn’t in place for the quarter-finals but was brought in for the semis. Referee Stuart Attwell delivers the verdict that the Spurs fans didn’t want to hear.
After the check, Solanke was just offside meaning the goal is ruled out.
Attwell announces the decision to the whole stadium in a new innovation for VAR which is being trialled during the semi-finals of the league cup.
GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool (Dominic Solanke, 76’)
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:44 , Mike Jones
Massive!
Tottenham take the lead through a former Liverpool player. Dominic Solanke makes a run in behind the Liverpool high line as the ball is played through.
He collects it and drives into the box before slipping a fine low shot past Alisson into the back of the net.
VAR is checking this, is Solanke onside? The flag stayed down.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:41 , Mike Jones
75 mins: Ange Postecoglou decides that Heung-Min Son has had enough and switches out his captain with Timo Werner. Postecoglou will be hoping the fresh legs will be a bigger threat to Liverpool in the final 20 minutes.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:38 , Mike Jones
72 mins: Off the line!
Tsimikas curls a cross into the box from the left and the ball sails through to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He decides to shoot from a tight angle and hits the ball cleanly.
It flies across the box and looks to be going in but Radu Dragusin clears the danger off the goal line!
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:37 , Mike Jones
70 mins: Save!
Salah, who has had a quiet evening, slots a lovely pass in behind the Spurs defence. Darwin Nunez goes sprinting into the box and gets to it first.
He rattles a strike at goal but Kinsky drops low and makes a fine save.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:35 , Mike Jones
69 mins: Brennan Johnson does great work to take the ball around Kostas Tsimikas and feed Kulusevski’s run. Again, Tottenham don’t have the men in the box for the winger to find and another pass is intercepted and cleared.
That’s a sign of Spurs’ unwillingness to overcommit. They were heavily punished for that in the Premier League clash with Liverpool and Ange Postecoglou has made them more secure tonight.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:32 , Mike Jones
66 mins: Dejan Kulusevski manages to get into space after a superbly threaded pass from Archie Gray. Kulusevski carries the ball into the box and tries to weave past the defenders.
Dominic Solanke is his only option and he looks to square the ball only for Virgil van Dijk to intercept.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:30 , Mike Jones
63 mins: Arne Slot has seen enough and calls for his big guns. He makes a triple substitution which sees Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz all introduced in place of Conor Bradley, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo.
Can the changes inspire Liverpool to go on and win this game?
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:26 , Mike Jones
60 mins: Mo Salah takes a strange shot, or was it a cross, from the right edge of the box and forces an awkward moment of Antonin Kinsky.
The Tottenham goalkeeper is forces to juggle the ball on the line before bringing it under control.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:24 , Mike Jones
57 mins: Chance!
Massive moment for Tottenham but they left Liverpool off the hook. Pedro Porro pushes up the pitch which allows Lucas Bergvall to press Alisson.
The goalkeeper misplaces a pass back to Porro who shoots towards the open goal only for Virgil van Dijk to block the effort. The ball bobbles back to Porro who checks to the right and dinks a second shot wide of the far post!
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:21 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Tottenham will feel they have a strong chance of winning this game as Liverpool aren’t at their best. The hosts need to string together a strong period of possession and put some added pressure on Alisson who has had a quiet half so far.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:18 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Close!
Possibly the best chance of the game as Curtis Jones picks out Salah on the right side of the pitch. He cuts inside then floats a cross over to the back post where Cody Gakpo is free.
Gakpo leaps towards the ball but it skims over his head and out of play.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:16 , Mike Jones
48 mins: Virgil van Dijk takes out Brennan Johnson in a heavy but fair challenge before a misplaced pass from Ryan Gravenberch forces Conor Bradley to send the ball out of play.
Just a little sign of Liverpool not quite communicating and clicking with each other.
Second half! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:12 , Mike Jones
Liverpool get the game restarted with no further changes to either team.
HT Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:09 , Mike Jones
I think most people were expecting goals in this game but Ange Postecoglou has set Spurs up to be more secure defensively and Liverpool have been far from their best.
Arne Slot’s men tend to improve in the second half of games so Tottenham still have plenty of work to keep them at bay.
Rodrigo Bentancur stretchered off pitch after suffering head injury in league cup semi-final
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:06 , Mike Jones
Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off the pitch during Tottenham Hotspur’s Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool with a suspected head injury after an awkward landing as he attempted to reach a corner kick.
Tottenham won the first corner of the game in the seventh minute and as the ball was swung into the penalty area, Bentancur launched himself at it in the hopes of heading the ball towards goal.
He missed and landed hard on the ground seemingly knocking his head on the turf. The midfielder lay still as the set piece played out before his teammates urgently called for the medical team to intervene.
Rodrigo Bentancur stretchered off pitch after suffering head injury
HT Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:00 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:56 , Mike Jones
45+11 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half with nothing to separate the two teams.
Diogo Jota has a shto blocked inside the box but as things stand the teams head into the break on level terms.
All to play for in the second half.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:55 , Mike Jones
45+9 mins: Liverpool are pressing the advantage in the closing stages of this first half. Spurs need to dig deep and maintain their clean sheet until the break.
The Reds seem to have finally clicked into gear and look very imposing.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:50 , Mike Jones
45+6 mins: Cody Gakpo goes on a driving run up the pitch with no options available to him on either side. He manages to create enough space to get a shot away and drills a dipping effort at goal.
Antonin Kinsky fumbles the ball but manages to keep it out.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:47 , Mike Jones
45+3 mins: Neither team looks likely to open the scoring in this half and both seem to be going through the motions a bit. Tsimikas gets a cross into the box but it’s not the best and Dragusin heads it clear without too much trouble.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:45 , Mike Jones
45 mins: There will be 11 added minutes at the end of this first half after the two injuries to Bentancur and Quansah.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:44 , Mike Jones
42 mins: Liverpool win another free kick that Tsimikas once again bends into the box. Gray is there it head the ball away first before Spurs complete the clearance.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:38 , Mike Jones
39 mins: Liverpool have been a bit frustrating in this half and haven’t really been the free-flowing, attacking team we’re used to under Arne Slot.
Mo Salah has had about six or seven touches in total and has been on the fringes of play. Spurs have been the more controlling side.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:37 , Mike Jones
36 mins: Mo Salah comes up against Archie Gray who holds his own and wins a throw in for Tottenham. The hosts look to play out from the back but don’t get far.
Diogo Jota recovers the ball but can’t set up a chance as he’s quickly hounded by Radu Dragusin who comes away with the ball.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:33 , Mike Jones
33 mins: Yves Bissouma collects the first booking of the game in a tussle with Diogo Jota who looks to drive the ball into the final third.
Liverpool win a free kick in a dangerous area and could test Spurs’ new goalkeeper. Kostas Tsimikas swings the ball into the middle and finds Alexis Mac Allister.
Mac Allister can’t generate any power and nods the ball into the arms of Antonin Kinsky.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:32 , Mike Jones
30 mins: There’s a subdued feel to the game still following the Bentancur injury. Both teams are trying to assert some control with limited success.
Quansah has gone off the pitch with Arne Slot replacing him Wataru Endo which is an intriguing switch.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:29 , Mike Jones
28 mins: Liverpool have an injury concern now as Jarell Quansah is forced off the pitch by Dominic Solanke. The defender returns and sits on the floor before hobbling off the field with an attempted muscle strain.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:24 , Mike Jones
23 mins: Liverpool start to bite back and feed the ball to Cody Gakpo on the left side of the pitch. He darts into the box and cuts onto his right foot.
Gakpo has an eye of goal but instead lays the ball to Mo Salah who takes the shot instead. It’s a decent effort but doesn’t get past the goalkeeper.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:20 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Spurs are regaining some of that early momentum they had built up. Dejan Kulusevski takes a shot from range and finds Alisson.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:16 , Mike Jones
15 mins: Rodrigo Bentancur is carried off the field on the stretcher with his neck in a brace and then match then continues.
Another corner for Spurs is delivered into the hands of Alisson who attempts to get Liverpool quickly up the pitch.
Brennan Johnson has come on to replace the injured midfielder.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:13 , Mike Jones
12 mins: The game remains stopped as Bentancur receives more treatment. The midfielder seems to be sat up with the medical team but it seems unlikely that he will be able to continue.
Ange Postecoglou won’t take the chance and has called Brennan Johnson to get ready to come on.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:09 , Mike Jones
9 mins: During the corner set piece, Rodrigo Bentancur threw himself at the ball and missed it. He landed on the ground and seemingly knocked his head, hard.
The Tottenham midfielder stayed on the ground and looked as though he might have knocked himself out though that is unclear.
What is clear is that the medical staff have brought a stretcher onto the pitch and Bentancur is now being treated.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:07 , Mike Jones
7 mins: Oh my. Jarell Quansah gives the ball away to Dejan Kulusevski who feeds it up to Lucas Bergvall. Bergvall drives into the box and twists into space.
The angle isn’t there to shoot so the ball is played to Pedro Porro whose cross is nodded behind by Virgil van Dijk.
From the resultant corner, the ball comes out to Son who sends it back into the middle. Radu Dragusin is there and turns the ball towards goal only for Alisson to make a point blank save and get the effort out.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:04 , Mike Jones
5 mins: Djed Spence sends the ball down the left wing as Dominic Solanke darts across the pitch to chase it down. He’s in behind Conor Bradley but can’t catch the ball before it rolls out of play.
Tottenham certainly think this side of the pitch is the best option to get at Liverpool.
Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:02 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Ange Postecoglou decided to play new goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky tonight despite him only being with the club a few days. Postecoglou explained his decision saying: "He’s somebody we have been tracking for a while, excited to get him in.
“Whenever you make your debut for a new club it’s always a big occasion, obviously this one has got that extra little bit with the opposition and circumstances.
"I feel really good about throwing him in and we think we’ve got a really exciting player on our hands and I’m sure he’ll handle it well."
On the pitch, Spurs probe Liverpool’s right side but can’t find a way into the final third.
Kick off! Tottenham 0-0 Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:00 , Mike Jones
Spurs kick off the match and get the ball rolling in London. They send it back to Radu Dragusin who boots it over to the left wing and wins a throw in for the hosts.
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:56 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of kick off in this semi-final. Both teams have decently strong line-ups but Liverpool will be the favourites to win tonight.
Newcastle showed yesterday that this types of fixtures cannot be predicted though so maybe Ange Postecoglou can get one over Arne Slot and lead Spurs to victory.
Let’s fine out, kick off is up next...
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:50 , Mike Jones
This will be Liverpool’s seventh visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
They have won four, drawn one and lost one of their previous six trips there and scored six away at Spurs for the first time ever just over two weeks ago.
Ange Postecoglou ‘not a cheerleader’ for Carabao VAR trial
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:45 , Mike Jones
Ange Postecoglou has reservations over VAR decisions being announced to spectators when Tottenham face Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
As part of a pilot that has been introduced for the penultimate stage of the competition, the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will see referees explain the outcomes of reviews to fans present at the ground and to viewers at home.
It is the first time in the English domestic game that VAR checks will be relayed in this way but Postecoglou – a vocal opponent to use of the technology – does not agree with the trial.
Ange Postecoglou ‘not a cheerleader’ for Carabao VAR trial
How will VAR work in the Carabao Cup? Major change made for semi-finals
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:40 , Mike Jones
Referees will make in-stadium announcements on the outcome of VAR reviews in the remainder of this season’s Carabao Cup, marking a first for English football.
The EFL confirmed last month that VAR will be in use for the competition’s two-leg semi-finals and for the final at Wembley on 16 March.
However, the most significant move will be a pilot allowing referees to announce the final outcome of VAR reviews to spectators in the stadium and viewers watching at home.
This will include decisions reviewed by the referee at the pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements.
Liverpool’s fine away form
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:35 , Mike Jones
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 16 away games across all competitions (won 12, drawn four) since a 2-0 loss at Everton in April.
In the club’s history, only between May 1987 and March 1988 (21) and January and October 1989 (18) have Liverpool enjoyed a longer run without defeat on the road.
Gakpo’s league cup record
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:30 , Mike Jones
Cody Gakpo has been involved in nine goals in his nine League Cup appearances, scoring eight and assisting one.
However, the only two games in which he’s failed to register a goal or assist in the competition have been his two games in London (semi-final away to Fulham and final at Wembley last season).
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:25 , Mike Jones
Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.
In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United.
Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
Spurs edge the head-to-head
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:20 , Mike Jones
Tottenham have progressed from four of their seven League Cup ties against Liverpool overall, but did lose 2-1 in the most recent such meeting in the 2016-17 fourth round.
Also, Spurs have lost their last two League Cup games against the holders of the competition, most recently in the 2021 final versus Manchester City.
Can Liverpool reach the final again?
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:15 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have progressed from seven of their last nine League Cup semi-final ties and are looking to reach the final in consecutive years for the first time since a run of four between 1981 and 1984.
League cup legends
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:10 , Mike Jones
This is Liverpool’s 20th appearance in the League Cup semi-final and Tottenham’s 18th – the top two last-four appearances of any clubs in the competition’s history.
In the Reds’ previous 19 League Cup last-four ties, they have won the first leg on 10 occasions, with four draws and five losses.
Liverpool team to take on Spurs tonight
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:03 , Mike Jones
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo
Tonight’s Reds to take on Spurs in the #CarabaoCup 👊🔴 #TOTLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 8, 2025
Tottenham line-up to face Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 19:01 , Mike Jones
Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son
Tonight's Spurs XI ✊
🔢 @krakenfx pic.twitter.com/he2Umw46Vr— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025
Son Heung Min to stay at Tottenham as club confirm contract extension
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:55 , Mike Jones
Son Heung Min is set to stay at Tottenham beyond this season after the club triggered an extension option in his contract.
The South Korean’s deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign after a decade at the north London club.
But Spurs have activated an extension to their captain’s deal, keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and ensuring that he can not depart on a free transfer this summer.
Son Heung Min to stay at Tottenham as club confirm contract extension
Postecoglou on Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:50 , Mike Jones
Ange Postecoglou spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s game and how Liverpool will play. The Spurs boss said: “We’ve got an opponent who has been the standout team so far this year in all competitions.
“They are a top side. They’re really settled, I think they have got just about everyone fit and healthy. They can rotate players so they’re in a good moment and it will be a great challenge for us.”
Will Liverpool strengthen in January?
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:45 , Mike Jones
“It would be a bit weird if I said during the summer break that we are very happy with the team then I would tell you something completely different now.” said Arne Slot when asked if he wanted to make some signings in the January transfer window.
He continued: “But you always look at the market, this club has always looked at the market. I think we did this with the goalkeeper we don’t even have at the moment [Giorgi Mamardashvili]; if there is a chance in the market this club always tries to bring that chance in. But the team is in a good place.
“Unfortunately, Joe Gomez is injured [and] that means we go from four centre-backs back to three, but he will be back in a few weeks so [I am] very happy with the team and I think they deserved that trust from the club and from me if you look at the performances they have brought in over the last half-season.”
Slot on Alexander-Arnold’s performance vs Man Utd
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:40 , Mike Jones
Liverpool’s last outing was a 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield. The game was a thrilling affair but Trent Alexander-Arnold had a poor outing compared to his usual high standards.
The Liverpool manager addressed whether he had any concerns over the right-back and he replied: “I think we were all disappointed – not only Trent, we were all disappointed – by the way we played [against Manchester United on Sunday].
“First of all, about the result. Parts of the game we could be quite satisfied with, other parts of our game we weren’t completely happy with. That was not only Trent, there were more things in the game that we could have done better.
“Trent didn’t play his best game, I’ve said it already, but that’s not for the first time in his life he didn’t play the best game of his career. He has played so, so, so many games well for this club.
“Now it wasn’t his best – like for some others, it wasn’t the best game for some others as well.”
The ‘special’ sign Liverpool can go far in unthinkable quest for quadruple
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:35 , Mike Jones
Arne Slot did not use the word, though Jurgen Klopp became quite familiar with it. In two of the German’s last three campaigns, Liverpool challenged for the quadruple. Last season, their bid for glory on four fronts lasted until the end of March, until they were knocked out of the FA Cup after an epic comeback from bitter rivals Manchester United.
Two years earlier, they came closer than anyone arguably ever has, reaching the penultimate game of the campaign with a chance of four trophies. They ended 2021-22, however, without the two biggest prizes: runners-up in the Premier League, they became beaten finalists in the Champions League.
The ‘special’ sign Liverpool can go far in unthinkable quest for quadruple
Postecoglou provides latest injury update
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:30 , Mike Jones
Tottenham are still without a number of key players in their squad and Ange Postecoglou was asked if he had any positive news to share about those out with injuries.
The Australian replied: “It depends, net wise we are still down. We will get Bentancur back, but we lose Maddison and Pape Sarr by suspension, so couple of numbers down there.
“In terms of the injuries, no-one is back. Mikey (Moore) could potentially be available to be on the bench. Everyone else from the weekend certainly feels better, Radu (Dragusin) has recovered, Archie (Gray) is better. They were the main ones.
“Deki (Kulusevski) was under the weather, but he’s good. So, pretty much as it was on the weekend, plus Bentancur, minus the other two.”
Postecoglou on whether cup games provide relief from poor league form
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:25 , Mike Jones
Ange Postecoglou admitted that Tottenham’s form in the Premier League was awful and says he is looking forward to an exciting match in a different competition tonight.
Speaking ahead of the game the Tottenham manager said: “Our league results have been poor, there is no hiding from that. It is a separate competition. We have done well to get to the semi-final stage.
“We’ve beaten both Manchester clubs to do that. It hasn’t been an easy road to the semi-finals. We’ve got an opponent that has been the standout team in all competitions. So it is a great test for us, but it is a semi-final first leg and should be exciting. I am looking forward to it.
“That’s the case, irrespective of how you play. There is a second leg to be played. That doesn’t change our approach. We’re at home and in a two-legged affair, if you can get some kind of advantage in your home game, you are set up pretty well, so that’s what we will try to do.”
Pre-match thoughts from Arne Slot
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:20 , Mike Jones
The Liverpool boss spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s match especially after watching his team defeat Spurs 6-3 in the Premier League a few weeks ago.
Slot said: “I think what we expect before we go into the game is that two teams have such a clear identity and playing style, that is I think what most people expect to see again as well.
“They have their identity, we have our own identity, and both teams trying to force that identity towards the other. Large parts of the away game two weeks ago, we could show our identity.
“But there were definitely also parts in the game where they showed how good of a team they are. Scoring three goals against us is also an accomplishment. I know we scored six in the game as well but scoring three against us, not many teams have done [that] until now.”
The cost of football’s packed schedule is a double-edged sword for players and managers alike
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:15 , Mike Jones
It’s a week where only four Premier League teams have double fixtures, so it consequently becomes a little double-edged. Although the Carabao Cup semi-final managers are at a stage of the season where their squads could badly do with time to breathe, the fact they are so close to Wembley means they feel they have little choice but to go all in. There’s a trophy to be won.
That just means they lose a little bit of ground on, well, the training ground after the hectic December schedule. It’s perhaps just as well for Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot, in particular, that they have the FA Cup rather than Premier League at the weekend. We can expect some drastically changed sides.
The cost of football’s packed schedule is a double-edged sword for players
Postecoglou plays coy over Spurs’ new goalkeeper
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:10 , Mike Jones
Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou decided not to reveal if new signing Antonin Kinsky would play a part in tonight’s league cup match against Liverpool
“We’ll see,” Postecoglou said, when asked if the 21-year-old stopper will make his Spurs.
“He obviously arrived Sunday, he’s had a couple of days of training and he’s registered and eligible to play. We’ve still got to do a couple of final things with him and then we’ll see.”
Arne Slot on rotating his squad for tonight’s clash
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:05 , Mike Jones
The Liverpool manager was asked in his pre-match press conference yesterday whether he was likely to make any changes to his starting XI.
He said: “I think if you look at all the fixtures we’ve had this season, there are so many things going into a line-up – short term, long term, qualities of the opponent, where are my players [at]?
“So, it’s going to always be a decision made about, in our opinion, the best line-up for tomorrow. In some situations, for Southampton away or other games, in my opinion the best line-up was the ones that didn’t start a lot.
“Let’s see what that is tomorrow for the game we play against Tottenham.”
Tottenham vs Liverpool prediction
Wednesday 8 January 2025 18:00 , Mike Jones
Expect both teams to make changes to their starting XI without sacrificing the quality of their line-ups that much.
Spurs and Liverpool will both have players capable on winning this game but the Reds will be the more confident side and if they get off to a strong start should have the quality to go on to win.
Ange Postecoglou will have his sights set on this trophy and knows that being at home gives his players an advantage. He’ll set Tottenham up to attack so expect a high scoring affair.
Tottenham 2-3 Liverpool
Liverpool early team news
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:55 , Mike Jones
Arne Slot was hopeful on match eve that Dominik Szoboszlai would be able to feature after missing the Manchester United draw through illness, though the midfielder is unlikely to start.
Amid a busy period, Slot may rest a couple of regular starters as he manages his squad.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Konate, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Jones; Chiesa, Nunez, Jota.
Tottenham early team news
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:50 , Mike Jones
Tottenham’s defensive problems show few signs of easing with a makeshift backline again likely to be fielded.
New signing Antonin Kinsky has been cleared to feature after receiving a work permit and will contest the starting goalkeeper’s shirt with Brandon Austin, who made a long-awaited senior debut on Saturday. James Maddison is suspended.
Predicted Tottenham XI: Austin; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke.
How can I watch it?
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:45 , Mike Jones
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage on the channels from 7pm GMT. Subscribers can stream via Sky Go.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is Tottenham vs Liverpool?
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:40 , Mike Jones
The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 8 January at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:35 , Mike Jones
Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping that the Carabao Cup can provide a boost in a difficult period as they take on Liverpool for a place at Wembley.
The league leaders come to London for the first encounter of this two-legged affair, with the winner meeting either Arsenal or Newcastle in the final.
An injury crisis has compounded Spurs’ inconsistency to leave Ange Postecoglou’s side languishing in the league after a run of four games without a win.
While Sunday’s entertaining draw with Manchester United represented a slight slip in their title charge, Liverpool are still riding high as they continue their pursuit of silverware under Arne Slot.
Good evening!
Wednesday 8 January 2025 17:30 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Carabao Cup action as Tottenham host Liverpool in the league cup semi-finals.
Spurs are in a poor run of form having gone four games without a win since their victory over Manchester United in the previous round of this competition. Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure to turnaround their fortunes and can ease that by taking his team to the final at Wembley.
Liverpool will be confident of securing another win. They defeated Spurs 6-3 in the Premier League in December and have built up a solid run of momentum under manager Arne Slot who is hunting for his first trophy with the club.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and match updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
