Highlights: Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur | Carabao Cup semi-final second leg

Liverpool emphatically booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final following a dominant 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, producing a statement performance under the lights at Anfield. From the first whistle, the Reds overwhelmed their visitors, displaying relentless energy and intensity that Spurs simply could not cope with. The defeat was particularly stinging for Tottenham, who had arrived at Anfield with a slender 1-0 advantage following Lucas Bergvall's controversial goal in North London last month. However, any hopes of clinging to that lead were swiftly extinguished as Liverpool surged into action, barely allowing Spurs to breathe.

Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have been a formidable force across all competitions this season, suffering just three defeats, and this match was another demonstration of their unrelenting form. Spurs, in contrast, failed to register a single shot on target throughout the entire contest, a statistic that encapsulated their struggles on a night when they were completely outclassed. The hosts were ruthless in front of goal, with Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk all finding the net to send the Anfield crowd into raptures. The result confirmed a mouthwatering Wembley final clash against Newcastle United, a repeat of last season’s Carabao Cup showdown.

In the aftermath of the defeat, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou provided a concerning update on Richarlison, who suffered an injury during the game. Speaking to the press, Postecoglou revealed that the Brazilian forward appeared to have sustained a calf problem, one that could sideline him for a significant period. “It didn’t look too good after the game, so probably one to add to the list,” he admitted grimly, referencing Spurs' growing injury concerns. With a crucial Premier League fixture against Aston Villa looming, this latest setback only adds to Tottenham’s woes.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, reflecting on the victory, expressed his pride in the team’s performance and their ability to execute the game plan to perfection. Speaking to Sky Sports, he emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity throughout the match. “We needed a complete performance. At half-time, we knew we could still take our intensity to another level,” Van Dijk explained. “Winning like this is great for the team and the club, but now we shift our focus to the FA Cup. If you bring intensity to the game, anybody can make mistakes – and that’s what we capitalized on tonight. It was a beautiful win.”

Van Dijk also reserved special praise for Mohamed Salah, whose clinical finishing played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s triumph. “No goalkeeper would have saved that,” he said, referencing Salah’s goal, which was taken with the kind of precision that has become synonymous with the Egyptian forward. The Dutch defender also reflected on his own goal, describing it as a proud moment. “It is always a special feeling to get on the scoresheet. There is a lot of hard work behind the scenes to be more clinical, and tonight it paid off.”

On the state of Liverpool’s season, Van Dijk struck a balanced tone, acknowledging the team’s strong position while cautioning against complacency. “We are in February now, and we cannot complain about the situation we are in. But we should not take any of this for granted,” he warned. “We have to keep pushing and demanding the best from each other. I don’t see anyone getting complacent because I’ll make sure of it.” When asked about his future at Liverpool, Van Dijk remained coy. “What the future holds, I have no idea. Anybody who claims to know – they are wrong.”

Speaking to ITV, Van Dijk reiterated his pride in leading the team to another final, while also acknowledging the challenge that awaits in the FA Cup. “We did very well. I’m proud of the boys, and now we focus on the FA Cup,” he said. He also praised the contributions of Cody Gakpo, stating, “Gakpo is doing very well. We need him in the best shape of his life, and he’s delivering.” Looking ahead to the final against Newcastle, Van Dijk predicted a fierce contest. “They’re an intense team, and we will prepare well for them when the time comes. For now, we enjoy this moment.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, admitted that Liverpool fully deserved their victory, offering a frank assessment of his team’s shortcomings. “Liverpool were the better team. We just weren’t able to get a grip in any part of the game, either defensively or in possession,” he told Sky Sports. “They were too good for us, and we allowed them to get comfortable far too easily.” Postecoglou lamented his team’s lack of aggression, emphasizing that Spurs needed to be braver in their approach. “It’s easier said than done in a place like this, but we needed to be bolder with and without the ball. We just didn’t do that.”

The Australian manager also pointed to a sluggish start as a key factor in his team’s downfall. “Again, we didn’t start the game on the right foot, which allowed them to settle quickly. Once they did, it became difficult for us to regain control.” Postecoglou admitted that his side’s second-half performance was particularly disappointing. “We knew the first 15-20 minutes of the second half were crucial. Conceding the second goal in that period was frustrating because it made our task even harder.”

When asked whether he felt lonely on the touchline, Postecoglou dismissed the notion. “It’s not an emotion I feel,” he said. “I’m just disappointed that we weren’t able to give a better account of ourselves and get to a final.” He acknowledged the disappointment among the players but emphasized the importance of moving forward. “We had a great opportunity, and unfortunately, we didn’t take it. But there’s no time to dwell on it – we have to keep going. There’s still plenty to play for.”

Jamie Carragher, offering his post-match analysis on Sky Sports, was characteristically blunt in his assessment of Tottenham’s performance. “It was never in doubt before the game – it’s Tottenham!” he quipped. “When have Tottenham ever won a big game? When have they ever gone anywhere and surprised people by winning against the odds?” Carragher argued that Spurs have consistently failed to deliver in high-stakes moments, pointing to their history of coming up short in crucial matches. “Liverpool were massive favorites. They’re the best team in the country right now, possibly in Europe. And Tottenham? They never shock you.”

The former Liverpool defender struggled to recall the last time Spurs had pulled off a major upset, eventually settling on their dramatic Champions League semi-final victory over Ajax in 2019. “That night was a freak occurrence,” he said. “For most of the game, they were outplayed and got lucky at the end. But on nights like this, when they really need to deliver, they just don’t.”

Liverpool’s star performer on the night, Cody Gakpo, expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support. Speaking to Sky Sports, he acknowledged the impact of Anfield’s electric atmosphere. “The stadium helped a lot,” he said. “We knew we had to come back, and we went out there with full belief. With the quality we have, we knew we’d get chances.” Gakpo also emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as the season progresses. “We are on the right track, but we have to take it game by game. Today was a job well done, but we still have so much to play for.”

As Liverpool march towards another Wembley final, their performance against Tottenham serves as a powerful reminder of their capabilities. With their attacking firepower, defensive solidity, and unwavering determination, the Reds are firmly in the hunt for silverware on multiple fronts. For Spurs, however, this defeat represents yet another missed opportunity – one that will linger in the minds of their fans as they look to bounce back from another frustrating near-miss.