Liverpool hits the post
Gakpo shoots and Kinsky pushes it onto the post. Spurs have rallied slightly since the double substitution, but it’s still Liverpool on top.
Nunez hits side netting
Bradley and Nunez link in the box and the latter’s reaction shot is just inches off target. Another goal and surely this game is wrapped up.
Double Spurs change
Sarr and Bissmouma are off in place of Porro and Bergvall.
GOAL: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
Was there ever any doubt? Salah slots his penalty into the top corner to double Liverpool’s lead. What a shot from the Egyptian. It means the Reds are now leading on aggregate and set for Wembley unless Tottenham can find a way back into the game.
Liverpool penalty
Kinsky takes down Nunez in the box after the Liverpool striker got to the ball first following a through ball from Salah. VAR checks and approves and Liverpool has the chance to take the lead on aggregate.
The chances keep coming
Szoboszlai has also drawn a save from Kinsky from a header, while Gakpo then tested the Spurs stopper.
Tottenham already defending
Within the first minute after the restart, Salah forces Kinsky into a low save at his near post which earns Liverpool a corner.
Second half underway
Liverpool kicks off the second 45 at Anfield.
Carragher’s verdict
The ex-Liverpool defender has given his half-time verdict on Sky Sports. “It’s been a typical Liverpool performance at Anfield. The opposition have been suffocated, they can’t get out of their own half, at times can’t get out of their own box. If you think about a Postecoglou team, it has been nowhere near enough.”
HT player ratings | Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham (1-1 on aggregate)
Liverpool leads through Cody Gakpo at half-time at Anfield. The Reds are level in the tie and are well on top in the game. Caoimhin Kelleher has barely had a touch so far...
Caoimhin Kelleher (n/a)
Conor Bradley (7)
Ibrahima Konate (8)
Virgil van Dijk (7)
Andy Robertson (7)
Ryan Gravenberch (8)
Curtis Jones (7)
Dominik Szoboszlai (7)
Mohamed Salah (7)
Darwin Nunez (7)
Cody Gakpo (7)
That's half-time
Liverpool lead at half-time thanks to Gakpo’s excellent strike in the 34th minyes. The hosts have dominated at Anfield and created more and more dangerous chances as the game has gone on. Really, Slot will be disappointed that it’s only 1-0 and Spurs are still in this game. It’s 1-1 on aggregate and Liverpool needs another in the second half to avoid extra time and possibly penalties.
Tottenham change
Richarlison has been forced off due to injury. He hobbles off to be replaced by Mathys Tel, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day. Meanwhile, we’re now into seven minutes off injury-time.
Salah test Spurs keeper
Salah goes close with a back-post volley that forced Kinsky into a great save and he pushed the ball onto the crossbar. Can Liverpool nick another before the break.
Tottenham shot
In saying that, Kulusevski has just fired wide from distance. That it was Tottenham’s first chance of the half says it all.
Spurs can't get out
Tottenham are having to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks and can’t launch anything going the other way. It’s a surprising approach from Ange Postecoglou, a manager fabled for his gung-ho philosophy.
'There's only one Conor Bradley'
Anfield serenades Conor Bradley after a magnificent tackle on Heung-min Son near the Spurs corner flag. The Liverpool defender even helped his side to win a corner as the first half nears its conclusion.
Top scorer
That was Gakpo’s fifth goal of the Carabao Cup campaign this season - more than anyone else in the competition.
GOALLL: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
Finally! Liverpool finds the goal it deserves as Salah’s sublime outside-of-the-boot cross finds Gakpo at the back post. The Dutchman shot hard and low; Kinsky had no chance. Liverpool leads on the night and is level in the tie.
Salah chance
Robertson’s cross to the back post finds Salah but the forward shoots high and wide with his right foot.
Goal disallowed
Szoboszlia scores but the assistant's flag is raised. It was a lovely finish from Liverpool’s no.8 who beat Kinsky at his near post, but just mistimed his run slightly. That’s seven shots for Liverpool so far tonight, none for Spurs.
Possible penalty
Nunez sees a shot blocked by Gray as Liverpool’s control grows. There was a VAR check for a possible handball but it was cleared and it remains 0-0 at Anfield.
Liverpool goes close
Salah’s pass to into the area flicks off Bissouma and sails just wide of the Tottenham post.
Two half chances
Szobszlai and Gravenberch both see shots from outside the area blocked. The Anfield crowd is roaring their side on, but Liverpool is struggling to break down a compact Spurs side, even if it has amassed nearly 75 percent of the possession.
Interesting observer
Trent Alexander-Arnold is watching along with the Liverpool substitutes tonight. The defender is missing through injury but Klopp is hoping the England international could be back by the weekend.
Chances at a premium
After 17 minutes there has only been one shot of note, but three pauses in play so far. It’s Liverpool who is on top and dominating possession without creating much in the way of goalscoring opportunities. There’s a good buzz at Anfield though… the crowd is expectant.
A slight pause in proceedings
Kinksy spills the ball from a Liverpool corner, colliding with Davies in the process. The Spurs defender is receiving attention from the medical staff due to a cut on his head but it was far from convincing from Kinsky, even if his fumble didn’t come to anything.
Nunez down
The striker is being seen by the physios after dropping to the ground. Richarlison accidentally caught the Liverpool forward but it doesn't look too serious.
Strong start from Liverpool
Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot is easily held by Kinsky in the first real action of the game.