In light of Tottenham’s season-long performance, Ange Postecoglou recently reflected on hope and its inherent futility. The manager claimed that it had “usually been an oncoming train” each time he had seen “light at the end of the tunnel.”
He was discussing the team’s injury problems and the seemingly never-ending crises, but the train metaphor was a fitting way to characterize Liverpool, who steamrolled rather than rolled into the Carabao Cup final—their first such triumph under Arne Slot. They would not tolerate any other result. Spurs were completely flattened by them.
This season, who can stop Liverpool? Everyone is asking themselves this question as they gaze down from the Premier League’s top spot and consider winning the FA Cup and the Champions League. Not even the players themselves, nor the ardent supporters who traveled north, thought Spurs would accomplish so here—at least not until they realized what they were up against.
When Mohamed Salah scored his 26th goal of the season from the penalty spot early in the second half to give them the aggregate advantage, it was pretty much over. Spurs were still very much in the running at that moment, but no one thought they were. Liverpool was faster, sharper, and hungrier, and the evidence was laid out in vivid detail on the Anfield turf. Just without regret.
On minute 78, Son Heung-min executed a step-over and crashed against the bar from a close angle, giving Spurs the opportunity to point to a single flicker in front of goal. They only managed five shots, the rest of which were utterly unmemorable. None of them hit the mark.
Dominik Szoboszlai had added to Cody Gakpo’s first-half goal by that point, making it 3-0, and the imposing Virgil van Dijk had time to add the fourth. In the final, Newcastle will have to keep Liverpool out. The club from Slot will begin as the overwhelming favorites.
The Liverpool fans’ predictable cries of “Sacked in the morning” were directed at Postecoglou; they have been following him for weeks, and, well, he is still here.
Postecoglou’s FA Cup match against Aston Villa is their next match. He must have been disappointed by the lack of the personality and adventure he expects. Spurs whimpered away. Naturally, Richarlison suffered yet another injury, being forced off at the conclusion of the first half to join the ten other players who were unable to travel due to various issues.
It was simple to sense that Liverpool wanted to make amends for a few recent setbacks against Spurs from London games. In the first leg of this match, Lucas Bergvall, a midfielder, should have been sent off instead of being permitted to stay on and score the lone goal. This is possibly more relevant than the Luis Díaz disallowed goal farrago. Spurs were not permitted to play, and they explained how they arrived at this decision.
Toward the end of the first half, Liverpool increased the intensity. They controlled possession, and Tottenham was having more and more trouble with their press. The breakthrough was announced when Slot’s squad camped in opposing territory and Szoboszlai’s goal from a Salah ball was disallowed for offside.
The opening goal came after a sloppy pass from Yves Bissouma, but the mistake wasn’t made in a vacuum. Slots Liverpool treat you like this. When Darwin Núñez caused some commotion in the center and Salah crossed with the outside of his boot after the ball had been pushed wide to him, it went for Gakpo. Despite having his feet planted, he managed to call forth the force. Was there anything Antonin Kinsky could have done to prevent the shot? Maybe. The goalie was inconsistent.
In the 44th minute, with Liverpool continuing to play, Richarlison was down at the opposite end with a calf injury, and Kinsky narrowly missed tipping a Salah volley on to the top of the bar. Van Dijk and Richarlison had a confrontation early on, with Richarlison accusing him of elbowing him. It’s safe to say that the Kop didn’t have much sympathy for the former Everton player. After starting his new outfield addition, center-half Kevin Danso, Postecoglou inserted Mathys Tel. It was a gory welcome to the club for both.
As it transpired: Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg): Carabao Cup semi-final, second leg
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At the beginning of the second half, Kinsky was the center of attention. Liverpool increased the ante, and the goalie did a good job of blocking a header from Szoboszlai from a corner. However, it was possible to predict the catastrophe when Salah put a tease ball into the box for Núñez a few moments later. Kinsky was never going to abandon the attempt to capture the ball since Núñez was always going to be too fast. He only touched Núñez. Salah immediately selected a top corner.
Liverpool had little desire to hold onto what they already had. Ryan Gravenberch and Gakpo both struck the woodwork before Conor Bradley made a beautiful first-time pass to play in Szoboszlai. There was never any dispute about the finish. Van Dijk didn’t say that either as he got up to meet a corner. Liverpool continues to march.
