Liverpool Look to Overturn Deficit in EFL Cup Semi-Final Clash with Spurs | OneFootball

Liverpool v Tottenham – EFL Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg Preview (0-1 agg)

Date – 6th February 2025

Venue – Anfield

Kick-Off – 2000 GMT

After a superb 0-2 win at Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, Liverpool can now concentrate their next efforts on overcoming their first-leg defeat to Tottenham in the EFL Cup semifinal. Spurs have attempted to match Manchester United in their respective downfalls this season and despite a rare victory in their last Premier League outing, they come into this game with a plethora of questions. The 0-1 lead that will be taken into this game by Spurs makes for a brilliant finale, one that will see the victor book a place in the final.

Tottenham Availability

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou will be without several key players: who are all ruled out. Dominic Solanke, Cristian Romero, Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Guglielmo Vicario, Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson, and Radu Dragusin are all ruled out.

In terms of recent form, the North London outfit overcame Brentford with a 0-2 away win, following their 3-0 home win against IF Elfsborg in the final game of the Europa League group stage. A demoralising 1-2 loss was endured at White Hart Lane to visiting Leicester before their lair of bounce-back victories.

After 24 matches in the Premier League this season, 27 points have been accumulated leading to an astonishing 14th place standing in the current table.

The predicted lineup for the away side, using a 4-2-3-1 formation, is as follows:

– GK: Antonín Kinský

– RB: Pedro Porro

– RCB: Archie Gray

– LCB: Micky van de Ven

– LB: Djed Spence

– CM: Rodrigo Bentancur

– ACM: Dejan Kulusevski

– CM: Pape Matar Sarr

– RW: Mikey Moore

– CF: Richarlison

– LW: Son Heung-min

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool may be without Trent Alexander who left the Vitality Stadium field with an unknown injury on Saturday. Joe Gomez is now back in full training and should take his vice captain’s place in the match-day squad.

Before the Reds 0-2 win away to Bournemouth, Liverpool secured their first-place finish in the Champions League group stage, despite losing to PSV by a 3-2 scoreline. In the Premier League, the league leaders secured a 4-1 home win against visiting Ipswich after a 0-2 win at Brentford. With 23 matches played, Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an impressive 56 points.

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this away match against the superb Bournemouth.

– GK: Alisson Becker

– RB: Conor Bradley

– RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

– LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

– LB: Andy Robertson

– CM: Ryan Gravenberch

– ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai

– CM: Alexis Mac Allister

– RF: Mohamed Salah

– CF: Luis Díaz

– LF: Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to field its strongest possible team with the potential of welcoming Spurs to Anfield with no injuries to contend with. Tottenham will be looking to survive this game and hope for the counter-attacking opportunities that arise. Given the form and availability of each club, I cannot see a away in which Arne Slot does not guide his team to Wembley with a comprehensive win under the Anfield lights.

Player to Watch: Dominik Szoboszlai

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 3 – 1 Tottenham (3-2 agg)