Liverpool secured their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-1 win over Tottenham, showcasing clinical finishing that contrasted sharply with their visitors’ wastefulness. While Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi suggested the result was unfair, Liverpool maintained control throughout the key moments of the match at Anfield.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for the hosts after Destiny Udogie misjudged a run from Rio Ngumoha, leaving the ball perfectly for the midfielder to sweep a strike into the top corner. Cody Gakpo, who assisted the opener, extended the lead nine minutes after halftime with an angled drive that beat Martin Dubravka following a quick exchange with Mac Allister.
Tottenham briefly rallied when Conor Gallagher headed in following a Giorgi Mamardashvili error from a corner, but the Liverpool goalkeeper redeemed himself with a series of vital saves, notably denying Omar Marmoush. Dominik Szoboszlai then emphatically sealed the win in stoppage time with a stunning 25-yard strike. Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola praised the effort, stating, “It was a worldie. The thing with Dom is you trust him to score before he shoots. With others you might think it’s too far out, but not with him.”
De Zerbi expressed frustration after the defeat, noting his team’s inability to capitalize on clear opportunities. “We have to shoot more, we have to shoot better and we have to finish better the clear situations,” he said. The Spurs manager had made eight changes from his side’s previous draw with Everton, while Iraola shuffled his lineup with 10 changes following a stalemate with Fulham. Despite early chances for Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus, Tottenham failed to convert, a trend that defined their evening.
Elsewhere in the Carabao Cup, Peterborough advanced to the fourth round for the first time since 2009 after a thrilling 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Barnsley following a 3-3 draw. Barnsley took the lead within 61 seconds through Cameron McGeehan, but Peterborough responded through Harry Leonard and Danny Ormerod. Reyes Cleary scored twice for Barnsley, but Ormerod netted a late header to force penalties. Alex Bass proved the hero for Peterborough, saving a spot-kick from Luke Alker before Harrison Jones converted the decisive penalty.
Brentford also progressed, recording a 2-1 victory over Reading. Goals from Callum Wilson and Fabio Carvalho gave the Premier League side a comfortable cushion in the first half, though Paudie O’Connor’s strike made for a tense final 18 minutes. Despite chances for substitute Igor Thiago, Brentford held firm to secure their advancement. The report also notes that yet try telling Spurs’ suffering away support there was consolation to be found at Anfield, tottenham scored and Roberto De Zerbi eulogised the quality at his disposal. The report also notes that while the Spurs head coach talked a good game and his players played a pretty one in harmless areas, Liverpool produced the only effective one. The report also notes that alexis Mac Allister promoted his claims for a new contract for the second midweek in succession with an excellent strike and Cody Gakpo continued his fine early season form with a smart second plus an assist. The report also notes that the best from Omar Marmoush, and the visitors’ wastefulness would prove another factor in their downfall, but the Liverpool stand-in keeper atoned with several impressive stops. The report also notes that in these five or six games we have not been lucky. The report also notes that we have to improve a lot of things but we are in the right way. The report also notes that i have big confidence and a big opinion of my players.”.
