Liverpool delivered a stunning comeback to dismantle Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield, overturning their first-leg deficit to secure a spot in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United on March 16.
Spurs, plagued by injuries, entered the match with a 1-0 lead but were completely outplayed by a dominant Liverpool side led by Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo. The Reds created chances worth 3.8 expected goals (xG) and never looked in trouble as they ran riot on home turf.
đź“Ś How the Game Unfolded
âš˝ First Half: Liverpool Take Control
Liverpool started aggressively, pinning Tottenham back early on. Dominik Szoboszlai had a goal disallowed for offside before the opener finally arrived in the 34th minute.
- Gakpo broke the deadlock with a clever first-time finish from Salah’s outside-of-the-boot cross that sneaked through a crowded penalty area.
- Liverpool dominated possession and tempo, with Spurs struggling to get out of their own half.
âš˝ Second Half: Reds Run Riot
The floodgates opened after the break as Liverpool turned up the intensity.
- Mohamed Salah doubled the lead from the penalty spot (51′), smashing his shot into the top-left corner after Darwin Nunez was fouled by Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
- Szoboszlai added a third (68′), linking up beautifully with Conor Bradley before finishing from close range.
- Spurs’ only real threat came when Son Heung-min struck the crossbar, but they failed to register a single shot on target.
- Virgil van Dijk sealed the rout (85′), towering over the defense to head home from an Alexis Mac Allister corner.
Liverpool ended the game with 25 shots, compared to Tottenham’s 4, underlining their utter dominance.
đź“Š Data Debrief: Salah’s Historic Night
🔥 Salah’s Impact
- 1 goal, 1 assist – Salah was at the heart of Liverpool’s best moments.
- First EFL Cup assist since 2014, when he set up Didier Drogba for Chelsea against Shrewsbury.
- Now has 10 assists for Cody Gakpo, making him only the third Liverpool player Salah has assisted 10+ times, after Sadio Mane (17) and Roberto Firmino (14).
- 8 penalties scored this season – the most by a Liverpool player since Steven Gerrard (11 in 2013-14).
đź“Š Key Stats
- Liverpool have reached their record-extending 15th EFL Cup final – more than any other club.
- Spurs managed just 0.2 xG and 0 shots on target, highlighting their struggles.
- Liverpool scored 4+ goals against Tottenham for the third time in the last four meetings.
🏆 Liverpool Set for Wembley Final
With this emphatic victory, Arne Slot has the chance to win his first major trophy as Liverpool manager. The Reds will now face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final on March 16, looking to defend their title at Wembley.
đź”® Final Prediction: Can Liverpool Go All the Way?
With their strong home form and attacking firepower, Liverpool will head into the final as favorites. However, Newcastle will be eager for revenge after last season’s final defeat to Manchester United.
Whatever happens, a thrilling Wembley showdown awaits. đźŽđź”Ą
