Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 on aggregate)
by James Nalton 
at Anfield Stadium

HAVING gone into Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Spurs a goal behind, Liverpool worked their way back into the game and then into March’s final where they will face Newcastle.

It was a dominant second-leg display from Arne Slot’s side, and the outcome never seemed in doubt despite the 1-0 deficit at the start of the match.

Once Cody Gakpo half-volleyed the first Liverpool goal, the final result seemed inevitable.

That it was eventually won by a margin of three goals on aggregate shows the quality of this Liverpool team when they are able to turn on the style.

Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal for Liverpool, converting a penalty after Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had fouled Darwin Nunez.

The evening was made worse for Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglu when Richarlison left the field with a calf injury just before half time. It is the latest entry to Spurs’ long injury list this season.

Tottenham were forced to defend for much of the first half, though this might have had as much to do with Liverpool dominating the dynamic of the game rather than any intentional defensive tactic on Spurs’ part.

Even when they needed a goal to get back into the tie, Spurs struggled to create anything in attack, with Son Heung-min’s shot from a narrow angle that hit the bar a rare threat to Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal.

Liverpool worked their way around Spurs’ press with ease at times, while at the other end, Nunez led a press for the home side that gave Spurs no chance to build from the back.

Liverpool’s third goal was a slick, quick passing move involving substitute Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley, finished coolly by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Bradley was a standout player and meant Liverpool didn’t miss the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold too much.

The Northern Irishman showed some neat attacking skill from which Nunez almost scored, and the fourth goal did eventually come when Virgil van Dijk headed in a Mac Allister corner.

The Kop was vocal throughout and sang songs of challenging for trophies and travelling to Wembley. Next month, Liverpool have the chance to actually win one to give them something to show for this remarkable start under Slot.