Liverpool FC

Arne Slot’s side trailed 1-0 from the first leg of the semi-final but dominated Thursday’s second leg from first whistle to last, with Cody Gakpo’s first-half goal being added to after the break by a Mohamed Salah penalty and further strikes from Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds will therefore now look to retain the trophy they won last season when they meet Newcastle United at Wembley on Sunday March 16.

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Team news

Slot made four changes from last weekend’s win at AFC Bournemouth, with Caoimhin Kelleher starting in goal.

Conor Bradley came in for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez replaced Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Van Dijk (Quansah, 84), Konate, Szoboszlai, Nunez (Jota, 72), Salah (Elliott, 82), Jones (Mac Allister, 72), Gakpo (Diaz, 82), Robertson, Gravenberch, Bradley.

Unused substitutes: Jaros, Endo, Chiesa, Tsimikas.

First half

An atmosphere befitting the occasion set the backdrop but the early breakthrough the home crowd craved was not forthcoming.

But Liverpool’s grip on the game tightened as the half wore on and a flurry of opportunities arrived around the half-hour mark.

Nunez first saw a shot blocked by Archie Gray before the No.9 rose well but could only direct his header from Gakpo’s cross straight at Antonin Kinsky.

Szoboszlai then swept Salah’s pass beyond Kinsky but was flagged offside and Salah volleyed a deep Andy Robertson delivery over the crossbar.

But, 34 minutes in, Tottenham could hold out no more as Gakpo’s fifth Carabao Cup goal of the season, and 16th overall, cancelled out their first-leg advantage.

Salah was the provider, his outside-of-the-boot cross finding its way to Gakpo, who drilled home a controlled half-volley.

The pressure on Spurs’ goal was incessant until the break but the visitors made it to half-time level in the tie.

Second half

Liverpool simply picked up where they left off after the restart and Kinsky somehow denied Gakpo from point-blank range after Szoboszlai had glanced Robertson’s corner on.

Kinsky erred soon after, however, as the goalkeeper brought Nunez down after being beaten to Salah’s teasing pass by the Uruguayan. A penalty was awarded and Salah buried his kick into the top corner.

The Reds kept on coming and Nunez fired Bradley’s cut-back into the side-netting before a fierce left-footed drive by Gakpo kissed the outside of the post.

Ryan Gravenberch then struck the foot of the post from 20 yards but, moments later, the outcome was put beyond any doubt as Szoboszlai coolly rounded off a lovely move.

Substitute Mac Allister fed Bradley, whose underlapping surge was not tracked, and the right-back slipped in Szoboszlai, who slotted past Kinsky with ease.

And Liverpool were not done there as Van Dijk towered above Tottenham’s defence to head in number four and rubber-stamp his team’s place in the final.

Attendance: 60,395

Caoimhin Kelleher is named in goal for the Reds at Anfield, while Conor Bradley comes into the back line in the absence of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Elsewhere, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez are also included in Arne Slot’s XI, with Alisson Becker, Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister the other players making way from the weekend win at Bournemouth.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Van Dijk, Konate, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Gravenberch, Bradley.

The captain and his Reds teammates are looking to reverse the 1-0 first-leg defeat they suffered on the road last month and progress to the competition's showpiece at Wembley once more.

In his column in the matchday programme, the No.4 writes: "There are certain games which will always get the blood pumping as a player and a semi-final under the lights at Anfield against a very good team is definitely one of those.

"We understand the challenge we face against Tottenham Hotspur. The league table tells us they have not had the best of times recently, but this is a team that has a lot of very good players, and there is absolutely no chance that we will underestimate them.

"We were all disappointed with the way the first leg ended. That was a really frustrating night for us, but I said after the game that it was only half-time in the tie and that we would do everything we could to be ready for the second leg. Now it's here and we are excited to get going.

Pick up your copy of the programme at Anfield tonight or order online here

"We have done well since that defeat in north London, negotiating some really tough fixtures well and keeping our focus and momentum going. Saturday's win over Bournemouth was a big one, an important one, and one we had to work really hard for.

"We knew beforehand that it would be a tough game given the run of form they have been on lately, and I want to give big credit to them for the way they pushed us all the way, even with all the injuries they had.

"For us to come away with a clean sheet and with the three points at a place like that was very satisfying, and shows the levels we must maintain in the coming games.

"As I have said many times before, this game is all about consistency, about showing up every day, every week. If you do that, and if you continue to work hard and stay calm and humble, and treat every opponent with the utmost respect, then you can be successful."

Van Dijk continues: "We effectively start the game a goal down, against a team that has attacking players that can really hurt you, so it is going to take a very good performance from us if we are to secure our place at Wembley. That's the primary aim, of course.

"I've spoken previously about the wonderful memories the Carabao Cup has given us – and me personally – in recent years, and we would all love to make some more.

"We are all desperate to be in next month's final. Hopefully, with a strong performance and with your incredible support behind us, we can make it another memorable Anfield night."

The Reds host Spurs at Anfield tonight in an 8pm GMT kick-off and are looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit, with a spot at Wembley next month awaiting the winner.

In his matchday programme column, Slot writes: "The equation tonight is pretty simple – we need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg if we are to achieve our objective of reaching next month's final at Wembley, in the knowledge that Spurs will have the same ambition.

"When the prize is so big and two very good teams share the same aim, it usually guarantees a very competitive game of football and this is exactly what we are expecting.

"This is what we got at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the start of January so it makes sense that, if anything, the desire of everyone involved will only increase given how small the margins are and what is at stake.

"Of course, I was not at Liverpool the last time that the club reached a Wembley final in this competition last year, but I know how special that day was for the players, staff and supporters.

"I have no doubt given what happened on that occasion that it is a day which will be spoken about for many years to come, but our job now is to look to create new memories.

Pick up your copy of the programme at Anfield tonight or order online here

"For that to happen, we will need a big performance, and we will also need Anfield to do what it does best. I already have experience of what makes this stadium so special, but I am reliably informed that the atmosphere can be even better on nights like this so hopefully that will be the case.

"I would like to welcome Ange Postecoglou, his staff and the players and supporters of Tottenham to Anfield. It will be the third time our clubs have met already this season so we certainly know each other pretty well.

"I said before the first leg that what happened in our Premier League fixture would have no bearing on that fixture and it gave me no pleasure to be proven right. We were disappointed about a big decision that went against us of course, but Spurs showed a reaction on the night and scored a good goal, which leaves us with it all to do tonight because now it is our turn to react.

"This is why I was so pleased with our performance at Bournemouth at the weekend. Let me be clear, it was not perfect and – as is almost always true – there were definite areas for improvement.

"But in terms of effort, intensity, togetherness and mentality it was a real team performance, the kind of display that we are going to need to repeat tonight and also in the coming weeks and months.

"I said afterwards that what I want from the players and what they want from each other is that they fight in every single game from the first until the last second to get the maximum result and that's what the fans expect from them playing for this club.

"This is what we try to do in every single game and it is also necessary if you want to have any chance of a result in this league or the cup competitions. If we perform in this manner we do not get any guarantees of success, but it does create the kind of possibilities and opportunities that could potentially lead to success.

"This is what we are all working for so hopefully tonight we can take another step towards fulfilling the ambitions that we have and our supporters have. As ever, the best way of doing that is by staying together and giving everything we can for Liverpool."

Pick up your copy of the programme at Anfield tonight or order online here

The Reds will attempt to overturn a 1-0 deficit and advance to Wembley when they host Spurs in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday night.

Here are six things we spotted during our filming at the AXA Training Centre…

Watch Inside Training from Wednesday's session in full here

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Well, in the case of Ibrahima Konate, now we know.

As our cameras captured the squad making their way in ahead of Wednesday’s session, we overheard just how the Liverpool No.5 prefers his breakfast eggs.

He is a confirmed ‘well done’ man…

Elsewhere, for Alexis Mac Allister it was something (very well) toasted; pancakes and fruit for Harvey Elliott.

Running the gauntlet

Darwin Nunez and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk were on the receiving end of a forfeit during the players’ gym work.

The pair had to brace for friendly digs as they ran through a gauntlet of their teammates.

Van Dijk at least had the comfort of being serenaded with a version of his fan song, while Nunez decided the best option was to go the quicker the better…

New threads on show

The day’s access in Kirkby provided a first sight of the full squad sporting their new Nike spring training kit range.

The refreshed collection – which comes in an ecru colourway featuring flashes of black and red – was first revealed last week and debuted by Dominik Szoboszlai and Van Dijk.

It will be worn for the remainder of 2024-25 and you can get your own right now at our official online store, the LFC Store app and in-store.

Looking good, gentlemen.

Indeed, he wasn’t the only one, with a group of Reds ratcheting up the competitiveness with a shooting drill that can be watched at greater length in Inside Training.

McConnell in the mix

Arne Slot was effusive in his praise of James McConnell after the midfielder’s performance in the Champions League tie at PSV Eindhoven a week ago.

The Reds head coach made a point of name-checking McConnell as one of the club’s younger players who would not be heading out on loan before the winter transfer deadline.

“He was also a player that hasn’t played in the last six or seven months 90 minutes because he was injured for a while. He impressed me a lot today,” Slot had said that night in the Netherlands.

And the 20-year-old was very much part of the matchday-minus-one work for the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham.

The Reds welcome Spurs to Anfield on Thursday night looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg.

Preparations for the tie continued today – and our photographers were with Arne Slot's squad before and during their training session.

Scroll through what they captured below...

Shop LFC's new spring training range at our online store

Photos by Nikki Dyer and Andrew Powell

The pair completed loan moves to Spurs in the days leading up to the transfer window closing and could be thrust into action for the second leg of the semi-final, which the Londoners currently lead 1-0 following last month's encounter.

The visitors to Anfield are, however, unlikely to have centre-backs Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero available, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only Reds player ruled out.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: "In terms of availability from last week, everyone is fine, everyone got through OK, so no issues there in terms of that squad.

"Obviously Kevin and Mathys are both available. They've trained and are cleared to play, so that's all good.

"With Micky and Romero to a certain extent, I kind of feel like we've just got to be a bit more conservative with them.

"Micky got through the [Elfsborg] game all right but I don't think he feels he's ready for that sort of step up to [the] Premier League, the intensity of it – same with Romero."

Dominic Solanke, Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, Radu Dragusin and Guglielmo Vicario are set to remain sidelined for Spurs.

Alexander-Arnold's absence comes after he was forced off in the second half of Liverpool's Premier League victory at AFC Bournemouth last weekend.

"I think you saw that he left the pitch with a bit of a pain in his leg, so that's why he misses the game tomorrow," Arne Slot told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"But he is already on the pitch, not with the team but with the rehab coach, so let's see how long it is going to take. But he will not be available tomorrow."

Alisson Becker was in goal for the first leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 8, with Caoimhin Kelleher on the bench.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Slot admitted he has made a decision about which goalkeeper will start the 8pm GMT kick-off – but would not disclose his selection to the media.

Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah are the only players to have started all four of the Reds' Carabao Cup fixtures so far this season.

"If you reach the semi-final against Tottenham, you know it's going to be a difficult one," Slot said about overcoming the deficit. "But I think we will be better than the last time as well."

Last match

Bournemouth 0-2 Liverpool (February 1): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz.

Brentford 0-2 Tottenham (February 2): Kinsky, Porro, Gray, Davies, Spence, Bentancur, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Moore, Son, Richarlison.

Anfield is the stage for the conclusion to the last-four tie as Slot's Reds attempt to overcome the 1-0 deficit from last month's encounter at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and secure their Wembley spot.

See the best bits from the head coach at Wednesday morning's briefing below…

On his review of the January transfer window...

I've said it many times, we have a very good squad and if you look at the league table I think the players have shown that the trust we have in them was correct and – apart from Trent [Alexander-Arnold] now maybe for a few days – we don't have many injuries, not long-term injuries, in moments that the window is open. So, we did have some injury problems with Alisson [Becker], with [Diogo] Jota and with some others. But at the moment I think – apart from Trent – they are all available again today, so there's not a reason to add something to the team unless you have a chance in the market. That's something we saw last time with the goalkeeper we brought in which is not here but we did bring him in because we saw that as a chance in the market. But for now we are happy with the team we have.

Trent Alexander-Arnold injury update ahead of Liverpool v Tottenham

On whether he will prepare the players differently for the Tottenham game...

No, I don't think I have to prepare them differently than in any other game. Because from now until the end of the season, it's been already the whole season, and I think as long as Liverpool exists, if you play in this shirt, you need to win the game. That's for tomorrow, that's for Sunday, that's for Wednesday afterwards and the game after that. Even if we go 1-0 down in the league or whatever tournament we are in, we try and want to win the game. That's also what we tried in the away game against Tottenham – I think we were quite close to getting a result over there until the last few seconds, we were down to 10 and conceded a goal. Nothing changes for this game compared to others. If you wear this shirt, if you go out at Anfield, there is only one thing that is expected of you – and that's winning the game.

On the 29-day gap between the first and second leg...

Not that it matters a lot but if you play one week later then normally you face exactly the same team again. Now with all the injuries Tottenham had last time we played them, it would have been a bit more in our advantage if we played them one week later again, although we lost against the ones that were fit that time. But indeed they did bring in three players [in the transfer window], the goalkeeper was already there, so now we face two different ones. I wonder if Micky van de Ven is ready to play – he, of course, has a big impact on that team. It might change the quality we face tomorrow compared to the last time but we were already not able to win from the team that played last time. So, it's going to be a difficult one, which we know. If you reach the semi-final against Tottenham, you know it's going to be a difficult one. But I think we will be better than the last time as well.

On whether he is happy for his centre-forward to be a 'facilitator' or whether he wants more goals from the player he selects there…

I will be happy if that player becomes both. 'Facilitator', nice word, I didn't know that one yet, and scoring goals himself – that is, again, what we want to achieve in the end. But I also saw the penalty from Cody [Gakpo] where Lucho [Luis Diaz] as a nine played a part without even touching the ball. So, he dragged the centre-back out which led to the fact that Cody was in a one-v-one and he made a deep run and got tripped, which led to the penalty. In the end you want attackers [and] midfielders to score, we've spoken about our attacking midfielder as well.

We need to get goals from many positions, including them [and] including centre-backs that can score from set-pieces also. So, that's what I just said, we are trying to work on the training ground and with the feedback we give them after the game to make team better and better and better and in the end, the No.9 should be a facilitator, like a winger, but a winger and a No.9 should also score goals.

On if he has decided on whether Alisson Becker or Caoimhin Kelleher will start on Thursday.…

I know, but the two goalkeepers don't know yet. So if I am going to leave this room I am going to go to the media next door and then afterwards I'm going to inform the goalkeepers which decision I have made.

On how he tells senior players when they will not be involved in matchday squads…

That is one of the only things I don't understand here in England. Everywhere around the world, and in Europe as well when we play Champions League, we can take 23 players to the game and we are here in a country where we play the most games – especially the likes of Aston Villa, us, Arsenal, Chelsea, all the ones that are playing in Europe – and we have the League Cup over here and we have the FA Cup. So, we play so, so many games, so if you are able to play all these games you need a big squad. That seems to fair to me and then one of the things that is so important for a manager, so to pick the first XI is difficult, to tell someone that he is not even in the squad makes it even harder. So, I don't understand why we don't go to 23 in this country because this country plays the most games everywhere around the world and we only have 20 players that we can take to the games.

So, it's not for that game, because nine substitutes are more than enough, but to keep the dressing room going because you need more than 20 players in this country because we play so many games. Do you then understand what I mean? So, it's not for this one game, it's for a team like us or Arsenal or ones that play in Europe you need more than 20 players, so why can't we bring 23 players to the game instead of 20? But since it is the rule over here that is probably going to be the most difficult decision I have to make – not the first XI, but to leave someone out that worked so hard on a daily basis, that wants to be involved in the game as well. Not even taking him to the game, that's the hardest decision for me to make.

The vice-captain had to be substituted during last weekend’s victory at AFC Bournemouth and Arne Slot confirmed on Wednesday morning he is unavailable for Thursday night’s tie at Anfield, in which the Reds will seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Slot told reporters: “He is going to miss the game tomorrow and we have to see if he is able to play on Sunday. But what we do know is that he is not available for tomorrow.”

When asked for more detail on Alexander-Arnold’s issue, the head coach replied: “I think you saw that he left the pitch with a bit of a pain in his leg, so that’s why he misses the game tomorrow.

“But he is already on the pitch, not with the team but with the rehab coach, so let’s see how long it is going to take. But he will not be available tomorrow.”

Slot later reported all other members of his squad are fit for selection on Thursday.

The Reds host Ange Postecoglou's side at Anfield on Thursday night, looking to overturn the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the capital last month.

We've picked out Opta's best facts and figures ahead of the conclusion to the last-four tie…

Liverpool have progressed to the final on two of the last three occasions they've lost the first leg of a League Cup semi-final, doing so against Crystal Palace in 2000-01 and Sheffield United in 2002-03.

This is the Reds' 20th appearance in the final four of the League Cup, only once previously losing both legs of a semi-final (versus Southampton in 2016-17).

Since that two-legged defeat to the Saints, the club have progressed from each of their last six major cup competition semi-finals.

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine home games in the League Cup (four wins, five draws), winning the last four in a row by an aggregate score of 15-4.

The Reds have lost just one of their last 27 home games against Tottenham (won 19, drawn seven), and are unbeaten in 14 (won 10, drawn four) since a 2-0 loss in May 2011.

Mohamed Salah has had a hand in 16 goals in 17 of his Liverpool appearances versus Spurs in all competitions (12 goals, four assists). Only against Manchester United (16) and West Ham United (13) has he scored more goals as a Red.

The Egyptian has 19 goal involvements in 16 appearances at Anfield this season (11 goals, eight assists), failing to score or assist in just two of those games.

Arne Slot's men are unbeaten in their last 15 matches at Anfield in all competitions (won 13, drawn two) since the loss to Nottingham Forest in September. The Reds have scored at least two goals in each of those 15 home fixtures – last enjoying a longer run between February to November 2019 (17).

Cody Gakpo has netted four goals in this season's Carabao Cup, with Robbie Fowler (six in 2000-01) being the last player to net more for the club in a single campaign.

The No.18 has scored in each of his last six appearances for Liverpool at Anfield, with Salah (a run of nine in 2023) being the last player to enjoy a longer scoring streak on home soil for the Reds.

Diogo Jota has scored five goals across his last five starts in the Carabao Cup.

Following their 1-0 win in the first leg, Tottenham will be looking to win consecutive games against Liverpool in all competitions for the first time since a run of three wins from November 2010 to September 2011.

The Reds have progressed from two of their last three League Cup ties against Spurs (most recently doing so in 2016-17 at the fourth-round stage).