Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (4-1 agg): Match report & 3 talking points as Reds book Wembley trip | OneFootball

Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final as they beat Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield in the second leg of the sides' last four tie.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, the Reds got themselves back level before half-time, Cody Gakpo finishing at the back post.

A deserved win that secured a trip to Wembley was sealed in the second period thanks to a Mohamed Salah penalty, a goal from Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk's late header.

Arne Slot's side will now hope to defend the trophy they won last season when they face Newcastle United in the capital on 16 March

How the game unfolded

With a white-hot atmosphere setting the tone, Liverpool and Tottenham put on a frenetic, physical start to proceedings at Anfield.

But there were few chances to show for it, with a deflected Salah shot that was easily collected by Antonin Kinsky the best of the openings inside the first 20 minutes.

However, it was around the half-hour mark that the Reds inevitably began to up it, Darwin Nunez testing the goalkeeper with a header before Szoboszlai saw a one-on-one finish ruled out for offside.

And the pressure finally told in the 34th minute, a Salah cross from the right making it all the way to left winger Gakpo, who did well to keep his knee over the ball and direct it powerfully beyond Kinsky.

In response, Tottenham mustered their first shot of the half, but it was a hit and hope from Dejan Kulusevski that flew comfortably over from 25 yards out.

And things got worse for the visitors before half-time, with Richarlison limping off through injury - though that did lead to a debut for January signing Mathys Tel.

Liverpool's dominance continued after the break, and they followed up a succession of corners by winning a penalty just five minutes after the restart when Nunez was upended by Kinsky.

The spot-kick was subsequently converted by Salah, who gave the visiting goalkeeper no chance in thundering the ball into the top corner.

The Reds did not let up from there, going close when Gakpo fired across goal and almost wrapping it up when Ryan Gravenberch struck the base of the post from distance.

But the breakthrough did eventually come, Conor Bradley darting into a central position before feeding Szoboszlai for a cool finish at the Kop end.

Tottenham did attempt to fight back, Son Heung-min striking the bar with a brilliant effort from a tight angle in front of the visiting supporters.

However, any hopes of a comeback were fully ended when Van Dijk rose highest to nod a corner home, just as he did in winning last season's final in this competition for Liverpool.

Player ratings

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Carabao Cup crucial to Arne Slot

Arne Slot named a strong side / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Arne Slot's selections in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup showed that it was clearly his lowest priority among the four competitions Liverpool were competing in.

But there has been a clear shift since the semi-finals came around and, with a Wembley trip booked, there is no doubting how important this tournament is to the Dutchman now.

Not only does 16 March represent Slot's first chance to win silverware, it can also provide a key confidence boost ahead of major challenges in other competitions.

He and his team will be desperate to get over the line under the arch.

No Trent? No problem

Trent Alexander-Arnold missed this one / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

If Tottenham were looking for hope coming into this game, then the absence of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold might have offered it.

Unfortunately for Spurs, the defender was replaced by Conor Bradley, who put on a masterclass of his own from right-back.

Bradley was not just content in pocketing Son and winning 8/10 duels, he also showed plenty of threat going forward, and laid on a brilliant assist for Szoboszlai.

That speaks to Liverpool's depth across the pitch, which is a key a strength that has brought them to the final.

Ange under pressure over trophy promise

Ange Postecoglou has one less trophy chance / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

For most of this season, the Carabao Cup looked a promising route to Ange Postecoglou delivering on his pledge that Tottenham would win a trophy in his second season in charge.

But after a humbling at the hands of the best team the country has to offer right now, the Australian is running out of possibilities for silverware.

A trip to Aston Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend is not the kindest draw and, of course, there is no chance of an assault on the Premier League title.

Should the Europa League end up being Spurs' best hope of lifting a pot, then the usual rotation policy applied to that competition must surely come to an end in the latter stages.