In a stunning display of attacking football, Liverpool demolished Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at Anfield on Thursday, February 6, 2025, in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, sealing a 4-1 aggregate victory. The result left Spurs reeling as they failed to mount any serious challenge, leaving manager Ange Postecoglou to admit his side was outclassed.
A Perfect Start for Liverpool
With the aggregate score at 1-0 in Tottenham’s favor after the first leg, Liverpool came out with purpose and quickly took control of the game. The Reds were relentless from the start, pressing high and dictating possession. Their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock, scoring a crucial goal that leveled the tie on aggregate. The Anfield faithful erupted, sensing that a comeback was well within reach.
Mohamed Salah’s Calm Finish
Just after the break, Liverpool struck again. In the 51st minute, the referee awarded Liverpool a penalty after a foul on Dominik Szoboszlai. Mohamed Salah, ever the cool customer from the spot, stepped up and calmly converted, giving Liverpool a 2-1 lead on aggregate. The goal seemed to deflate Spurs, who were now left with little hope of mounting a comeback.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s Stunner
As Tottenham struggled to break through Liverpool’s defense, the hosts made sure of the result in the 75th minute. Dominik Szoboszlai scored a brilliant goal to stretch Liverpool’s lead further, effectively sealing the tie. His well-placed shot from outside the box was too much for Spurs’ goalkeeper, further confirming Liverpool’s dominance on the night.
Virgil van Dijk Puts the Cherry on Top
Just five minutes later, Virgil van Dijk added the final blow with a powerful header from a corner kick, completing a comprehensive 4-0 victory. The towering defender’s goal was a testament to Liverpool’s dominance in all areas of the pitch.
Tottenham’s Disappointment
Tottenham’s evening was nothing short of disappointing. Despite having key players on the field, Spurs failed to register a single shot on target throughout the entire match. The visitors looked disjointed and lacked creativity, with no real answer to Liverpool’s pressure. It was a frustrating night for Postecoglou and his men, who had hoped for a better performance after their narrow advantage from the first leg.
Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager, was quick to admit that his side had been outplayed: “A tough night. Credit to Liverpool, they were way too good for us tonight,” he said, acknowledging the gulf in quality between the two sides.
Liverpool March On
With the win, Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final, where they will face Newcastle United on March 16, 2025, at Wembley. Jurgen Klopp’s side will be full of confidence after this resounding performance, and they will be favorites to lift the trophy once again.
For Spurs, the defeat marks another disappointing exit from a major competition. With their attention now solely on the Premier League and other cup runs, Postecoglou will need to quickly regroup and address the issues that led to their lackluster performance at Anfield.
As for Liverpool, they will take plenty of positives from this result as they aim to continue their successful campaign across multiple fronts. With a final spot secured, the Reds will now look ahead to another Wembley showdown, where glory awaits.