Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final line-ups and updates as Antonin Kinsky makes debut | OneFootball

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Postecoglou 'not going to change' despite Spurs' poor season

Tottenham host Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this evening with both teams hoping to gain an advantage over the other ahead of next month’s return fixture.

Spurs are in desperate need of a success story after a run of four matches without a win including a 6-3 defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League just a couple of weeks ago. Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure to turnaround Tottenham’s fortunes – they are 12th in the top flight table – but a poor season in the league will be forgiven if the manager can secure Spurs’ first silverware since 2008.

Liverpool, meanwhile, hope to move one step closer to securing Arne Slot’s first trophy since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer. The Reds look on course to lift the Premier League at the end of the season, despite a 2-2 draw with Man Utd last time out, and are performing strongly in the Champions League. Victory over Spurs tonight would move them within one match of a trip to Wembley and keep their strong momentum going.

How will VAR work in the Carabao Cup? Major change made for semi-finals

Referees will make in-stadium announcements on the outcome of VAR reviews in the remainder of this season’s Carabao Cup, marking a first for English football.

The EFL confirmed last month that VAR will be in use for the competition’s two-leg semi-finals and for the final at Wembley on 16 March.

However, the most significant move will be a pilot allowing referees to announce the final outcome of VAR reviews to spectators in the stadium and viewers watching at home.

This will include decisions reviewed by the referee at the pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements.

Mike Jones8 January 2025 19:40

Liverpool’s fine away form

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 16 away games across all competitions (won 12, drawn four) since a 2-0 loss at Everton in April.

In the club’s history, only between May 1987 and March 1988 (21) and January and October 1989 (18) have Liverpool enjoyed a longer run without defeat on the road.

Mike Jones8 January 2025 19:35

Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold

Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.

In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United.

Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.

Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold

The league leaders are heading towards a 20th league title under new manager Arne Slot, and yet a squad rebuild looms on the horizon

Mike Jones8 January 2025 19:25

League cup legends

This is Liverpool’s 20th appearance in the League Cup semi-final and Tottenham’s 18th – the top two last-four appearances of any clubs in the competition’s history.

In the Reds’ previous 19 League Cup last-four ties, they have won the first leg on 10 occasions, with four draws and five losses.

Mike Jones8 January 2025 19:10

Son Heung Min to stay at Tottenham as club confirm contract extension

Son Heung Min is set to stay at Tottenham beyond this season after the club triggered an extension option in his contract.

The South Korean’s deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign after a decade at the north London club.

But Spurs have activated an extension to their captain’s deal, keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and ensuring that he can not depart on a free transfer this summer.

Son Heung Min to stay at Tottenham as club confirm contract extension

The South Korean forward has been at the club for nearly a decade and is set to stay

Mike Jones