Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur will battle it out for a place in the final of the EFL Cup.
Liverpool vs Tottenham best bets
Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals - 2/1 with Tote
Liverpool to be ahead after 30 minutes - 10/11 with Paddy Power
Cody Gakpo to score any time - 13/10 with bet365
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur odds
Find the latest match odds for Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur predictions
Pragmatism is not a word mentioned in conjunction with Ange Postecoglou too often, but his team turned in an uncharacteristically controlled, measured and organised performance against Liverpool last month.
To be clear, Liverpool still created chances in the first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final and Lucas Bergvall’s late winner was controversial. But Tottenham Hotspur were miles better than they had been in a 6-3 home defeat by the same opponents a few weeks earlier.
The question now is whether a one-goal lead is enough. Liverpool will have home advantage in the return fixture on Thursday. Arne Slot’s side have only lost once at Anfield in all competitions in 2024/25.
The tie is very much alive, though, and that is more than many people expected ahead of the first leg.
A lot hinges on this match for Postecoglou. Despite a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday, Spurs are having a dismal campaign in the Premier League.
A 10-point lead over the bottom three means Tottenham will not be relegated, but the fact they are way down in 14th place after 24 games is a damning indictment of everyone at the club.
Of course, injuries have played their part and Spurs have been hit harder than most. Yet that does not excuse some of the defeats they have suffered over the last few months, while Postecoglou’s unwillingness to offer his weakened defence additional protection has not reflected well on him.
However, the Australian is probably safe in his job for as long as silverware remains a possibility. Without a trophy since 2008, Tottenham are desperate to get their hands on a tangible prize between now and May.
An FA Cup fourth-round clash with Aston Villa this weekend will be tough, while there are some strong sides remaining in the Europa League. Already through to the semis, the EFL Cup represents Tottenham’s best chance of success this season.
“I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed,” a defiant Postecoglou said in September.
Tottenham can take a step closer to realising that objective on Thursday. Alternatively, they could see their dreams of EFL Cup glory extinguished.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur betting tips
Can Tottenham protect or extend their 1-0 lead from the first leg of this semi-final?
Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals
Unless you support them, Tottenham have been fantastic to watch this season. Their 24 Premier League games have produced 85 goals, an average of 3.5 every 90 minutes.
Liverpool fans will fondly remember that 6-3 triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, but Thursday’s game will probably feature fewer goals.
With Micky van de Ven available from the start, Spurs’ backline will be in better shape. Antonin Kinsky is now keeping goal instead of Fraser Forster.
That is unlikely to be enough to keep the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz at bay, however. Liverpool are relentless and it is hard to see them failing to win this second leg.
This game will not necessarily be low-scoring, but we do envisage a maximum of four goals at Anfield.
⚽ Back Liverpool to win and under 4.5 goals at 2/1 with Tote ⚽
Liverpool to be ahead after 30 minutes
Slot has made Liverpool more controlled than they were under Jurgen Klopp, but he has astutely retained the best elements of his predecessor’s magnificent work.
Namely, Slot is happy to let Liverpool off the leash when the situation requires it. He will not want to encourage a completely end-to-end encounter on Thursday, but if this becomes a straight shoot-out between the two sides Liverpool will come out on top.
This Tottenham team is not built to withstand heavy pressure and the Reds will aim to exploit that early on.
Slot will encourage his team to come flying out of the blocks under the floodlights at Anfield, pushing Spurs’ backs to the wall immediately.
Liverpool will be keen to wipe out the one-goal deficit as quickly as possible, preferably after half an hour.
⚽ Tip Liverpool to have the lead after 30 minutes at 10/11 with Paddy Power ⚽
Cody Gakpo to score any time
Whereas Klopp usually fielded Gakpo through the middle last term, Slot prefers to deploy him from the left.
The Netherlands international looks more comfortable in that role and he has emerged as a regular starter over the last few months.
Gakpo has been particularly prolific at Anfield this season. He has scored 15 goals in all competitions, 12 of which have come in front of Liverpool’s supporters.
Another could follow against Tottenham. Postecoglou’s charges may have kept a clean sheet against Brentford on Sunday, but they are about to face a formidable frontline.
Gakpo is well placed to make his mark in the second leg of this EFL Cup semi-final.
⚽ Choose Cody Gakpo to score any time at 13/10 with bet365 ⚽
📺 How to watch Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England.
Date and time: Thursday 6th February, 8pm.
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
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