Liverpool beat Tottenham 3-1 at Anfield on Tuesday night to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, Dominik Szoboszlai's second-half stoppage-time effort completing the scoring after a tense finale in which Spurs briefly threatened a comeback.
Alexis Mac Allister broke the deadlock on 21 minutes, curling the ball into the top corner after Destiny Udogie's tackle sent possession his way. Cody Gakpo doubled the lead on 54 minutes, shifting onto his right foot and stroking a low finish past Martin Dubravka following Mac Allister's incisive pass. Conor Gallagher gave Tottenham hope when he headed home a Matheus Fernandes corner in the 69th minute, and Giorgi Mamardashvili had to produce a brilliant fingertip save to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser. Szoboszlai then settled the tie, chesting down a Gakpo pass, letting the ball bounce and driving a swerving half-volley from 30 yards beyond Dubravka to make it 90+1 minutes on the clock.
Andoni Iraola had made 10 changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Fulham at the weekend, handing rare starts to youngsters Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha. Koumas was named man of the match after an outstanding display, and Nyoni boasted 95 per cent pass accuracy across his 65-minute appearance. Jeremie Frimpong started at right-back in place of Ronald Araujo, who has established himself as first choice in that position since joining from Barcelona.
Iraola spoke warmly about his young starters after the final whistle, saying they had given everything physically and shown the athletic intensity and willingness to win duels that he demands. On Szoboszlai's match-winner, he was equally effusive, describing the finish as a worldie and noting that, unlike with most players, everyone at the ground expected the Hungarian to score the moment he struck it.
For Tottenham, the defeat extended a difficult run. De Zerbi's side have not won since they beat Charlton Athletic in the second round of this tournament, and their four Premier League matches to date have yielded no goals at all. Gallagher's header was the first goal they have managed against top-flight opposition this season.
De Zerbi used his post-match press conference to direct criticism at his forwards' wastefulness. "We have to shoot more times and we have to shoot better. We have to finish better the clear situations," he told reporters. "But we are sorry for the result, disappointed, frustrated for the result. I think it is unfair but we have to accept it and be stronger than this unlucky moment because I am honest. Honest with myself and with you."
Mohammed Kudus, making his first start since January, spurned a chance from close range when the score stood at 1-0, while Lucas Bergvall squandered a good opportunity in the first half. Mathys Tel, who has yet to register a goal contribution this season, was withdrawn in the 85th minute having had zero shots and completed just 71 per cent of his passes against Liverpool.
Spurs return to league action at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, while Liverpool travel to Bournemouth in the Premier League the same weekend.
Reporting: Mirror, GiveMeSport, FourFourTwo, Football Insider, CaughtOffside, TeamTalk, ESPN, Football.London, Sky Sports, Evening Standard, Metro, The Telegraph, RTÉ, Daily Mail.