EFL Cup: Spurs vs Liverpool means more Goals!

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are set to get it on again, just two and a half weeks after the Reds won a nine goal thriller in North London, and this time it’s the EFL Cup final first leg.  

Both teams had a testing weekend in the Premier League as league leaders Liverpool were held at home by Manchester United while Tottenham lost at home the Newcastle United. Arne Slot’s side has had a brilliant five months so far, six points clear at the top of the domestic table, top of the Champions League with six wins from six and in this cup semi-final. On the other had Tottenham are struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League, just outside the top eight in the Europa League and ready to take on the might of the Reds on Wednesday.

One thing’s for sure, the Spurs vs Liverpool clash won’t be short of Carabao Cup 2025 highlights and I’m predicting goals, plenty of them.  

Talking Points

This is Ange’s biggest chance

Spurs have been disjointed in recent weeks, in fact for most of the campaign so far, and the Whites’ performances are not what Postecoglou had in mind when he, maybe jokingly, announced that he has a second season trophy tradition, having achieved success that way in Australia and Japan. And he has an opportunity, albeit small, to open Tottenham’s trophy cabinet thanks to a thrilling quarter final win over Manchester United.    

The Carabao Cup 2025 betting odds reckon the final will be between Liverpool and Arsenal, but Spurs, along with Newcastle United, will believe they have a fighting chance; and why not with just two games to win?

Sounds easy doesn’t it?!

Postecoglou will surely bring two of his key players back for this huge game after both Heung-Min Son and James Maddison started on the bench against the Magpies. Son replaced Timo Werner, who had a poor game, on the hour and that switch will continue to the start of Wednesday’s match, while playmaker Maddison came on for Pape Sarr. 

The boss may choose to rest Dejan Kulusevski to make room for Maddison, or Sarr may be the man to stand aside. If Spurs can somehow get past the rampant Reds it will take a lot of pressure off Postecoglou so the affable Aussie will be keen to get his best men on the pitch.   

Gakpo is Liverpool’s new man for the big game

Much of the Kop adulation is directed towards their Egyptian King Mo Salah and for good reason, but Slot has got the best out of another front man who has slotted in superbly alongside Salah and the rapid Luis Diaz. Dutch star Cody Gakpo has taken his chance with both hands this season, top scoring with four goals in the Carabao Cup and getting some huge goals for Liverpool in other games. He has scored equalisers when the Reds were 1-0 down, against Leicester City, Fulham and Brighton, as well as getting the opener against Manchester City and a winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League. And Gakpo was at it again during Liverpool’s Sunday clash with Manchester United, scoring the leveller shortly after Lisandro Martinez had given the Red Devils a shock lead.

At the other end of the pitch Slot has a decision to make as wing-back Trent Alexander-Arnold put in an abject performance against Manchester United amidst an increasing likelihood he is on the way to Real Madrid. If Trent’s head has already gone to Spain then Slot may move now and install Conor Bradley as his first choice.       

History

With 35 victories to Spurs’ 15 in the Premier League era, the Reds have had plenty of success in this fixture, and when the two teams met in the league, in the run up to Christmas, there was a glut of goals as Liverpool ran out 6-3 winners as Diaz and Salah both helped themselves to a brace.  

With four wins and two draws from the last six games Slot’s team are in good shape while Spurs’ two wins from the last six came before three defeats and a draw. 

Add to those stats the fact that Liverpool are unbeaten in 23 games in all competitions and in 16 games away from home, this is clearly a mountain for Spurs to climb.    

Betting Tip

The Reds are at SBOTOP odds of 1.55 to win this first leg and that would put them firmly in charge of the tie. Spurs are at 3.87 to take a first leg lead and 4.09 to Draw.  

A 2-2 draw is priced at 11.08, and that would keep Postecoglou’s men in the tie… and that would do just fine for now. 

 

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