Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE commentary: Spurs desperate to take big step towards ending silverware drought in Carabao Cup semi-final
Tottenham host reigning Carabao Cup champions Liverpool in the first leg of their semi-final this Wednesday night, live on talkSPORT.
Spurs beat Manchester United in a seven-goal thriller to progress to this round and they’re moving ever closer to a first trophy in 16 years.
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But Ange Postecoglou’s side has been ripped apart by injuries in recent weeks and that has majorly impacted their form in the Premier League.
It leaves them struggling for confidence and winless in four heading into this crucial tie against one of the most in-form teams in Europe.
Arne Slot has the Reds clear at the top of the league table and into this semi-final, with a win over Southampton setting this clash up.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Trophy pending?
Tottenham last won a trophy in 2008.
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It means they’re currently on a 16-year silverware drought heading into their semi-final meeting with Liverpool.
A win in this first leg would give their chances of progressing to Wembley a major boost, and it may even provide a good omen.
Spurs have lost their last two league cup games against the current holders.
But the last time they did beat the holders was in 2008 against Chelsea and, of course, that was when they last won a major trophy.
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So Postecoglou will be desperate for history to repeat itself against Liverpool.
His side’s current form doesn’t put them in the best position to go all the way in the Carabao Cup, but there’s no doubt over how bad they will want to.
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- This is Liverpool’s 20th appearance in the League Cup semi-final and Tottenham’s 18th – the top two last four appearances of any sides in the competition’s history.
- Tottenham have progressed from four of their seven League Cup ties against Liverpool overall, but did lose 2-1 in the most recent such meeting in the 2016-17 fourth round.
- Liverpool won 6-3 at Tottenham in the Premier League last month – the last English team to score 7+ goals away to Spurs in a single campaign in all competitions was Arsenal in 2010-11, while the most a team has scored at Spurs in a season is eight (Chelsea in 2001-02).
Tottenham vs Liverpool: Team news
Tottenham could hand a debut to new goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky after he joined the club from Slavia Prague over the weekend.
If available, Kinsky is likely to replace Brandon Austin who made his debut against Newcastle, with Fraser Forster ill and Guglielmo Vicario injured.
Spurs will still be without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies as their defence remains obliterated.
That means Archie Gray is set to continue at centre-back next to Radu Dragusin if he’s recovered from illness.
Rodrigo Bentancur was banned for the last game but now he’s back and should feature, with James Maddison expected to start too.
As for Liverpool, Conor Bradley may replace Trent Alexander-Arnold who faces criticism for his poor performance against Man United on Sunday.
Darwin Nunez is likely to start as he’s now suspended for the next league game, while Dominik Szoboszlai could sit out ill again.
Joe Gomez is out injured but otherwise, Slot has a fully fit squad and he may bring in Diogo Jota to rotate his forward line.
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- Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has been involved in nine goals in his nine League Cup appearances, scoring eight and assisting one. However, the only two games in which he’s failed to register a goal or assist in the competition have been his two games in London (semi-final away to Fulham and final at Wembley against Chelsea last season).
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 19 games in the League Cup (W12 D6), going down 3-2 at Manchester City in the 2022-23 fourth round.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: What has been said?
Tottenham haven’t won since their last Carabao Cup game, but despite losing to Newcastle at the weekend, Postecoglou is confident his side can turn their form around.
"I have never lacked confidence,” he said on Saturday. “I get that the results aren’t there and I get if people want to accept the situation we are in.
“You saw the performance of Archie [Gray], you saw Lucas [Bergvall] today he was unbelievable as an 18-year-old to play in that position.
“I just see so much to be positive about, but we need to win games of football and usually when you play well, you do most things right you get the rewards."
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- Liverpool have progressed from seven of their last nine League Cup semi-final ties, and are looking to reach the final in consecutive years for the first time since a run of four between 1981 and 1984.
- Spurs have never lost when playing the first leg of a League Cup semi-final tie (including single-game ties) at home, winning five and drawing twice.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: talkSPORT coverage
This Carabao Cup semi-final first leg will take place on Wednesday, January 8.
Kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports too.