Tottenham vs. Liverpool: Carabao Cup Semi-Final Preview, Predictions, and Lineups
The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final sees Tottenham Hotspur hosting Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday. Both teams are eager to secure an advantage as they chase a spot in the final.
Liverpool, the defending champions, triumphed in this competition last season, while Tottenham is still seeking their first trophy since winning the EFL Cup in 2008.
Match Details
- Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
- Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Stuart Attwell
- VAR: Paul Tierney
Current Form (All Competitions)
Tottenham
- Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle – December 4, 2024
- Tottenham 2-2 Wolves – December 29, 2024
- Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham – December 26, 2024
- Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool – December 22, 2024
- Tottenham 4-3 Man United – December 19, 2024
Liverpool
- Liverpool 2-2 Man United – December 5, 2024
- West Ham 0-5 Liverpool – December 29, 2024
- Liverpool 3-1 Leicester – December 26, 2024
- Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool – December 22, 2024
- Southampton 1-2 Liverpool – December 18, 2024
Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
- Tottenham: 1 win
- Liverpool: 4 wins
- Draws: 0
- Last Meeting: Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (December 22, 2024, Premier League)
Team News
Tottenham
Spurs are grappling with an injury crisis and suspensions, leaving their squad stretched thin:
- Out: James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr (suspensions), Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie (injuries).
- Doubtful: Fraser Forster (illness).
- Confirmed Absences: Wilson Odobert, Richarlison (long-term injuries).
Youngster Mikey Moore may feature in the matchday squad after recovering from illness.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke
Liverpool
Liverpool’s injury list is far less concerning than Tottenham’s:
- Out: Joe Gomez (hamstring).
- Doubtful: Dominik Szoboszlai (illness).
Liverpool could rotate their squad after a demanding draw with Manchester United, giving starts to returning players like Diogo Jota and Conor Bradley.
Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Jota
Key Storylines
- Tottenham’s Defensive Woes
With their backline severely depleted, Spurs face the daunting task of containing Liverpool’s potent attack, led by Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Diogo Jota. - Liverpool’s Rotation
After a grueling match against Manchester United, Liverpool may rotate key players. This could give Tottenham an opportunity to exploit any unfamiliar combinations in the Reds’ lineup. - High-Scoring History
The last meeting between these sides ended in a thrilling 6-3 victory for Liverpool. Both teams have shown a tendency for open, attacking football, suggesting another goal-filled encounter.
Score Prediction
With Tottenham’s defensive struggles and Liverpool’s attacking firepower, goals seem inevitable. However, Spurs’ offensive talent, including Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, should keep them competitive.
Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool
FAQs
1. When is the second leg of the semi-final?
The second leg will take place in early February at Anfield.
2. Who are Tottenham’s key absentees?
James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie are all unavailable.
3. Who are Liverpool’s key players to watch?
Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota are expected to lead Liverpool’s attack, while Ryan Gravenberch could play a pivotal role in midfield.
4. What happened in the last meeting between these teams?
Liverpool defeated Tottenham 6-3 in a high-scoring Premier League clash in December.
5. What is Tottenham’s last trophy?
Tottenham’s last major trophy was the EFL Cup in 2008.
