As the stage is set at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Liverpool gears up to face Spurs in the eagerly awaited first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.
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Last weekend, Liverpool encountered an unexpected hurdle, settling for a 2-2 draw against fierce rivals Manchester United. This result raised eyebrows, especially with United struggling in the league prior to the encounter, having lost three consecutive matches. Nonetheless, they managed to secure a well-earned point at Anfield after a performance marked by discipline and determination.
After the match, manager Arne Slot reflected, "We created far more chances than they did, but being 1-0 down, 2-1 up, and facing a late scare from Harry Maguire was a lesson learned." He acknowledged that, in hindsight, he wished for more. While Liverpool's performance was not their best, it’s important to note that they still fashioned numerous opportunities. Overall, Slot’s squad has been exceptional this season, suffering just one defeat across the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup.
Among these competitions, the EFL Cup may well sit at the bottom of Slot’s priority list. Should Liverpool exit in the semi-finals but secure glory in either the Premier League or Champions League, few at Anfield would lament the departure.
On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur finds themselves in desperate need of success. Their recent 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United has left them languishing in the lower half of the Premier League, a staggering 12 points shy of a top-four position.
Having not lifted a trophy since 2008, Spurs are yearning for silverware, and manager Ange Postecoglou is feeling the pressure. He famously declared earlier this season, "I always win things in my second year," and will be eager to translate those words into tangible success.
While Liverpool may have other ambitions, they will undoubtedly aim for victory in this encounter. They recently thrashed Spurs 6-3 at their home ground and will hope to replicate that performance to gain an advantage in this EFL Cup semi-final.
The fixtures keep coming thick and fast for both clubs. Tottenham and Liverpool face a grueling calendar, with eight matches scheduled across four competitions in just 24-25 days, up until the first weekend of February.
Expect Liverpool to mix things up for this match. The likes of Connor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott, and Darwin Nunez are all vying for starting positions. Slot has shown a willingness to rotate against Southampton in the previous round.
Due to injury woes, Tottenham might stick to a lineup similar to the one that fell short against Newcastle. Morale is low, given their current run of just one win from the last eight Premier League outings, and even a Liverpool reserve side could pose a formidable challenge.
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Only weeks ago, these two sides engaged in a thrilling nine-goal encounter, with four goals netted in the first half as Liverpool raced to a 3-1 lead at the interval. Expect another lively opening 45 minutes on Wednesday.
Tottenham's approach has always been proactive, and Postecoglou will likely encourage his team to adopt this style, irrespective of injuries. This could play into the hands of Liverpool, who, despite Slot's emphasis on control this season, remain a potent threat during transitions.
Don’t be surprised if both netminders are called into action early on.
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Liverpool’s attacking options would make any rival green with envy. Diogo Jota would start for almost any other team in the league, yet he currently serves as Liverpool's first reserve.
The Portuguese forward is eager to make his mark right from the first whistle. Jota stands as one of Liverpool's most clinical finishers, and he often converts opportunities in the penalty area.
This season, he boasts an impressive record, averaging a goal every 114 minutes in domestic competitions. With Tottenham expected to field a patched-up defence, Jota could take full advantage.
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