Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, as Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai delivered the decisive moments on an encouraging night for Andoni Iraola’s much-changed side.
Mac Allister opened the scoring with an excellent first-half finish before Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s advantage shortly after the interval. Conor Gallagher threatened to make the closing stages uncomfortable when he pulled one back for Tottenham, but Giorgi Mamardashvili produced a crucial late save before Szoboszlai settled the tie spectacularly with a thunderous long-range strike.
It was not always comfortable, particularly during Tottenham’s late push for an equaliser, but Liverpool ultimately had enough quality when it mattered.
Mac Allister Gives Liverpool the Breakthrough
With Iraola making 10 changes to his starting XI, there was always likely to be a slightly different rhythm to Liverpool’s performance.
Tottenham had opportunities of their own during an open start, with Lucas Bergvall denied by Mamardashvili, while Lewis Koumas forced Martin Dubravka into action at the opposite end.
The breakthrough arrived after 21 minutes and came from one of Liverpool’s most experienced players.
Mac Allister found himself in space around the Tottenham penalty area and produced a superb finish into the top corner, giving Dubravka little chance and handing Liverpool a 1-0 advantage.
It was exactly the kind of contribution Liverpool needed from the Argentine.
After scoring against Atletico Madrid last week, Mac Allister has now found the net in successive appearances and looks increasingly confident under Iraola.
His willingness to attack the penalty area was particularly noticeable. Mac Allister has always possessed the technical quality to contribute goals from midfield, and his latest finish was another reminder of just how dangerous he can be when given licence to push forward.
Speaking after the match, he also highlighted the importance of the support he has received from the Liverpool crowd and the responsibility experienced players have towards the club’s younger players.
On a night when several youngsters were handed an opportunity, Mac Allister led by example.
Gakpo Continues Impressive Start
Liverpool emerged after half-time determined to take greater control of the tie and quickly extended their advantage through Gakpo.
The Dutch international struck shortly after the restart, firing Liverpool into a 2-0 lead and putting Iraola’s side firmly in command.
Gakpo’s latest contribution continues an impressive opening to the season.
He now has two goals and three assists from five appearances, numbers which underline his growing influence within the Liverpool attack.
There had been considerable speculation surrounding Gakpo during the transfer window, but his recent performances have demonstrated why keeping him at Anfield could prove important.
His versatility remains a major asset. Whether operating from the left, centrally or moving between positions during matches, Gakpo offers Liverpool a combination of physical strength, intelligent movement and finishing ability.
Against Tottenham, he again delivered when the opportunity arrived.
Liverpool Youngsters Take Their Opportunity
The Carabao Cup has traditionally provided Liverpool with an opportunity to give younger players meaningful first-team minutes, and Iraola continued that approach against Spurs.
Making 10 changes inevitably brought an element of risk, particularly against Premier League opposition, but there were plenty of positives in Liverpool’s performance.
Mac Allister praised the youngsters afterwards, explaining that their attitude in training has impressed the senior players.
He said they “show every day in training they want to be here” and predicted that they could become “really, really important” during the season.
That could prove significant.
Liverpool have a demanding campaign ahead and squad depth will inevitably be tested. Cup competitions provide valuable minutes for players on the fringes, but performances such as this can also give Iraola greater confidence about using younger players in Premier League matches when necessary.
There will be tougher tests ahead, but progressing while resting the majority of the first-choice XI represents a useful outcome.
Tottenham Fight Back at Anfield
At 2-0, Liverpool appeared to be cruising towards the fourth round.
Tottenham, however, refused to disappear.
Gallagher headed home shortly before the 70-minute mark to reduce the deficit to 2-1 and suddenly Liverpool found themselves under genuine pressure.
Spurs pushed numbers forward and forced Liverpool deeper during the closing stages, creating the kind of frantic finish Iraola would probably have preferred to avoid.
Mamardashvili then produced arguably one of the most important moments of the night.
With Tottenham searching for an equaliser, the Liverpool goalkeeper made an outstanding late save to preserve the advantage.
It proved decisive.
Liverpool have considerable competition in goal, but nights like this offer Mamardashvili the opportunity to demonstrate his quality. The save ensured Tottenham never completed their comeback and allowed Liverpool to deliver the final blow moments later.
Szoboszlai Produces Stunning Finale
If there was any lingering doubt about the outcome, Szoboszlai removed it in extraordinary fashion.
With the game entering its final moments, the Hungarian unleashed a ferocious volley from around 30 yards which flew beyond Dubravka.
It was a spectacular way to complete the scoring.
Liverpool had been forced to withstand significant Tottenham pressure after Gallagher’s goal, but Szoboszlai’s strike transformed a potentially nervous conclusion into a convincing-looking 3-1 victory.
Sometimes cup ties require exactly that kind of moment.
Liverpool had not dominated every phase of the contest, nor had they completely shut Tottenham down. What they did possess, however, was greater quality in the decisive moments.
Mac Allister found the top corner. Gakpo punished Tottenham after the restart. Mamardashvili produced a vital save. Szoboszlai then delivered the spectacular finish.
Positive Night for Iraola and Liverpool
The Carabao Cup may not sit at the top of Liverpool’s priorities this season, but this still felt like a useful victory.
Iraola was able to rotate heavily, give minutes to younger members of his squad and rest several regular starters ahead of the return to Premier League action.
Most importantly, Liverpool progressed.
There are still areas requiring improvement. Tottenham created enough opportunities to make the contest uncomfortable and Liverpool briefly surrendered control after establishing a two-goal advantage.
But cup football is ultimately about surviving and advancing.
Liverpool did exactly that.
Mac Allister continues to rediscover his influence, Gakpo remains productive, Mamardashvili delivered when required and Szoboszlai supplied a spectacular final flourish.
A 3-1 victory, another place in the Carabao Cup draw and valuable minutes throughout the squad.
For Iraola, it was a night with considerably more positives than negatives.
