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Liverpool eyes 21st century history in Carabao Cup Doubleheader with Tottenham

  Hassan Afolabi January 8, 2025

Liverpool travel to London this evening looking to kickoff a two legged semi final, with the intentions to reach back-to-back Carabao Cup final for the first time since 1984.

Arne Slot charge have seen off West Ham United, Brighton, and Southampton in previous rounds, scoring ten times in the three games to set up a semi final meeting with a struggling Spurs.

Defending champions had not reach consecutive finals in the competition since a run of four straight final appearances between 1981 and 1984, and will see tonight as a great opportunity to break the 41 year jinx.

Liverpool will also be on course to avenge the defeat inflicted by Spurs in 1984, which put an end to an impeccable run in the Reds' bid to reach a fifth straight final in the League Cup.

Despite not kicking off the new year with a win, Liverpool head into tonight's fixture with an impeccable record, having suffered just one defeat in 28 games across all competitions under manager Arne Slot, who is having a splendid first season so far.

There are several reasons to be optimistic about the game, with many down to their host tonight. Tottenham have been very inconsistent this season, and just December, they were thrashed in tonight's venue by the visiting team.

Ange Postecoglou has seen his side record one win in their last eight home games, which came in a seven goal thriller in the previous round of this competition, against a much changed Manchester United side.

They have had to make do without a host of first team starters like their goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and center-back pair of Christian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert, Richarlison and Destiny Udogie also add to their injury woes.

The Spurs boss has said he has always won a title in his second season at every team he has managed. Though that is a fact, it won't be any easy getting past Liverpool, even so in their current chaotic state.

Liverpool on the other hand haven't lost an away game under Arne Slot, and have won seven of their last nine Carabao Cup semi final ties.

They've scored ten goals in their last two meetings with Tottenham, winning both, including a 6-3 win in London last month and will only be without Joe Gomez, though Slot will have no worries after welcoming back Ibrahima Konate.

In the form of Mohamed Salah, they have the best player in the world while Virgil van Dijk is up there with the best in defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold's creativity has made him more than just a right back and collectively, everything is clicking for Merseyside Red.

The aforementioned trio have also not let their contract situations effect their commitment to the club. It is never a great time to play Liverpool under Arne Slot.

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Head to Head in EFL Cup

Liverpool has faced Tottenham Hotspur on eight occasions in the EFL Cup, with each side progressing on four occasions. However, Spurs have been more assuring, sealing all their wins in normal time while Liverpool has required extra time in two, including one that headed to penalty shootout, to better the North Londoners.

Last time the two sides met in this competition was in October 2016, when a Daniel Sturridge brace sealed a 2-1 fourth round win for the Reds in Anfield.

If Liverpool do manage to get past Spurs, in a tie they are considered the outright favorite, awaiting them will be Newcastle United, or Arsenal, if the latter has more in its locker to overcome a 2-0 deficit away from home in the return leg.

A title midway through the second half of the season will be a deserved reward for Arne Slot, who has made everyone, not only in England, but the entirety of Europe, look second best so far, after inheriting a squad in disarray last summer.

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