Liverpool head back to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool best bets
Liverpool to win - 4/6 with Betfred
Both teams to score in first half - 17/10 with Copybet
Diogo Jota to score any time - 5/4 with bet365
Tottenham vs Liverpool odds
Find the latest match odds for Tottenham vs Liverpool. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool predictions
Liverpool suffered a rare setback at the weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by arch-rivals Manchester United.
It was an outcome that surprised many. United headed into the game being labelled as potential relegation contenders. They had just lost three top-flight matches in a row. Yet they delivered a disciplined, diligent performance to leave Anfield with a point.
“We created much more chances than them but being 1-0 down, 2-1 up, and conceding such a big chance [to Harry Maguire late on], it’s something to take.” Arne Slot said. “If I look back at it tomorrow, I would’ve wanted more.”
Liverpool were certainly not at their best, but there is no need to go overboard. They still created plenty of chances on the day. And for the most part Slot’s side have been magnificent this term, losing just one game across the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup.
Of those three competitions, the EFL Cup doubtless ranks bottom of Slot’s list of priorities. No one at Anfield would mourn an exit from this tournament in the semi-finals if it meant Liverpool triumphed in at least one of the Premier League or Champions League.
Tottenham Hotspur need this much more. They are struggling in the top flight. A 2-1 home defeat by Newcastle United at the weekend left Spurs in the bottom half, 12 points adrift of the top four.
Tottenham have not won a trophy since 2008. They have gone close at times since then, finishing as runners-up in the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup, but the drought goes on.
The north Londoners are desperate to pick up another piece of silverware - and so is their manager Ange Postecoglou. The Australian came out swinging earlier in the campaign, asserting that “I always win things in my second year”. With that statement he has put himself under pressure to deliver.
Liverpool might have their sights set elsewhere, but that does not mean they will not want to emerge victorious here. Slot’s charges recently won 6-3 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and they will be targeting another comfortable victory in the first leg of this EFL Cup semi-final.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool betting tips
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool are ready to do battle in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
Liverpool to win
The games continue to come thick and fast for these two teams.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool will each play eight games across four competitions in the space of 24-25 days, up until the first weekend of February.
Liverpool will shuffle their pack for this match. The likes of Connor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas, Diogo Jota, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez will all be pushing for a start. Slot was not shy to rotate against Southampton in the last round.
Tottenham’s injury problems mean they will have to name a similar side to the one which lost to Newcastle last time out.
Confidence in the camp is low after a dismal run of one win in Tottenham’s last eight Premier League games. Even with a second-string side, Liverpool can come out on top.
⚽ Back Liverpool to win at 4/6 with Betfred ⚽
Both teams to score in first half
As mentioned above, it is only a few weeks since these two teams played out a nine-goal thriller at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Four of those strikes came in the first half, as Liverpool established a 3-1 lead at half-time. We could be in store for a similarly entertaining opening 45 minutes on Wednesday.
Tottenham only know one way to play. No matter how many players they are missing, Postecoglou will encourage his team to adopt a proactive, attacking approach.
That could play into Liverpool’s hands. Although Slot has made the Reds a more controlled team this term, they remain electric in transition.
Do not be surprised if both goalkeepers have to pick the ball out of their own net in the first half.
⚽ Choose both teams to score in the first half at 17/10 with Copybet ⚽
Diogo Jota to score any time
Liverpool’s attacking depth is the envy of most teams in the Premier League. Diogo Jota would be a guaranteed starter for virtually every other club in the division. At Liverpool he is currently their first reserve.
The Portugal international should get an opportunity to show what he can do from the first whistle in this one.
Jota is arguably Liverpool’s most natural finisher. When he gets a chance inside the 18-yard box, he usually takes it.
Jota is averaging a goal every 114 minutes in domestic competitions this season. Tottenham will line up with a makeshift backline and Liverpool’s No.20 can take advantage.
⚽ Tip Diogo Jota to score any time at 5/4 with bet365 ⚽
📺 How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England.
Date and time: Wednesday 8th January, 8pm.
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
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