Liverpool.com

Andy Robertson recently joked that Liverpool has been linked to every left-back in the world. One such player to have featured in the transfer rumor mill is now also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool and Spurs have done battle in the transfer market numerous times before, perhaps most memorably when the Reds hijacked a carefully-planned deal for Luis Diaz. And it appears there is once again some overlap in the two sides' shortlists.

That will be a bigger worry for Ange Postecoglou than Arne Slot, at least assuming the Australian remains in charge beyond the end of the season — Liverpool can expect to boast far greater pulling power, perhaps as the new Premier League champion. Spurs will not be able to offer European football at all, unless it can win the Europa League.

But all sorts of factors go into convincing a player to join, and Liverpool will therefore still be wary of Spurs interest. We are approaching the time when summer shortlists need to be pared down, and top targets decided upon.

Spurs seem ready to go hard in the pursuit of Rayan Ait-Nouri. AfricaFoot reports that the North London outfit has even gone as far as to prepare a $38m (£29m/€35m) proposal.

While Robertson was joking, it does indeed seem as though Liverpool is keen on a left-back. Milos Kerkez and Jorrel Hato have been linked the most recently, but Ait-Nouri's name has also cropped up.

So if Liverpool rates the Wolves man high enough, it sounds as though it may need to get a move on to avoid being gazumped by Spurs. Postecoglou's side has become the "most likely candidate" to complete the signing as things stand, although the Reds and West Ham are also mentioned.

What would the Algerian bring to Anfield? His stock has probably dropped a little this season, with his performances becoming less consistent as Wolves' overall form has suffered, but he still boasts a very interesting profile.

Ait-Nouri ranks in the 89th percentile of full-backs in Europe's top five leagues for non-penalty goals over the past year. That's no fluke: he is in the 90th percentile for expected goals. It's worth noting that this includes a spell last season where the system almost made him like a number 10, but even in a more orthodox setup, he likes to venture forward and make a difference in the final third. He has three goals and five assists this season.

Meanwhile, Ait-Nouri is accomplished when it comes to taking on his man, and excellent in the tackle as well. He has a well-rounded profile, and looks primed to excel when placed into a better team. At just 23, he has plenty of time to improve his game as well. Though Wolves look safe from the drop now, there would still be parallels to when Liverpool picked up Robertson in the first place, having spotted his high potential.

In the current market, $38m looks like a snip, even if it's not quite as good as the $10m paid for Robertson. So Liverpool might want to think about repeating the Diaz move and gatecrashing Spurs' plans.

When Jurgen Klopp first arrived at Liverpool, he was the darling of the English press and even plenty of begrudging rival supporters. His success quickly changed all that, but he still ultimately remained on good terms with most people within the industry — though he has previously named one Tottenham Hotspur star for whom he will never have any fondness.

It has been a testing few years for Spurs on the pitch, and Klopp never really had a fierce rivalry with them as a result. Having said that, Mauricio Pochettino's men were the opponents when Liverpool lifted its sixth Champions League, the sole European triumph under the German.

But as it happens, Klopp's dislike for one Tottenham player does not stem from that fixture. Indeed, the player in question had not yet moved to North London, and he attracted the ire of the Liverpool boss in a Premier League game that did not even feature the Reds.

The match in question came in the 2018-2019 season, the same campaign that ended with Liverpool's triumph over Spurs in Madrid. In just about any other year, Klopp would have done a remarkable double, having also led his side to 97 points in the Premier League.

But that did not prove to be enough, thanks to the relentless form of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team. A matter of millimeters denied Klopp not only the title, but also the second ever Invincible season.

However, it isn't that infamous John Stones clearance that sticks in the craw for Klopp (or at least, that's not the one he publicly referenced last year). Instead, the former Liverpool boss bears a grudge against James Maddison.

Representing Leicester City in that season, Maddison was on the pitch when Vincent Kompany scored that improbable long-range goal, which maintained Man City's faultless run-in. And Klopp felt the playmaker could have done more out of possession.

"The moment when Vincent Kompany touched the ball there, I am really happy I didn't get a stroke in that moment as that's how it must feel," Klopp told The Redmen TV last year. "I remember exactly how I was lying on the sofa watching and thinking 'Maddison block him, close him down'.

"Since then I don't like Maddison," Klopp remarked. "It's just a personal thing, I have no problem with him, but when I see him it's..." While this was no doubt a light-hearted remark, it's notable how clearly the moment sticks in Klopp's mind. There is surely a grain of truth in his dislike for Maddison.

The former Liverpool boss also admitted to being annoyed at Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester manager that day. Klopp felt Maddison should already have been substituted, having shown signs of fatigue.

It's the battle of the Premier League's two underperformers today as Tottenham hosts Manchester United. Both teams will be desperate to pick up a victory in North London.

The pressure is growing on Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. Having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in successive games last week, his only remaining hope of silverware lies in the Europa League, although he also needs to get his side moving from the bottom half of the league table.

The same can be said of Ruben Amorim, with United showing little sign of any progression since he took over from Erik ten Hag. Nevertheless, he has managed to pick up some important wins in recent weeks, and will be aiming for another one later.

Here's all you need to know in order to be able to watch the match...

What time is kick-off?

The match kicks off at 4:30pm in the UK, which is 8:30am Pacific Time and 11:30am Eastern Time in the US. Peter Bankes is the referee for the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Paul Tierney on VAR duty. The two sides last met back in the Carabao Cup in December with Spurs winning 4-3c, having also won 3-0 in the league at Old Trafford back in September.

Is the match on TV?

Yes, fans in the UK will be able to watch the game live. It will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage getting underway straight after the 2pm game between Liverpool and Wolves, and it will be available for streaming on Sky Go, or through the Sky Sports app if you get your subscription through a different provider.

In the US, the game can be watched live on Peacock, while it can be streamed via the Premier League on Peacock.

Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.

Where can I catch the highlights?

Highlights from the game will be uploaded to the Sky Sports Premier League channel on YouTube shortly after full-time. Fans in the UK will also be able to catch extended highlights on Match of the Day 2, which is scheduled to be shown at 10:30pm on BBC One and will include highlights from Sunday's other game between Liverpool and Wolves.

Early team news

Tottenham's injury woes continue this season, with at least seven players set to be out injured today. Radu Dragusin, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Timo Werner are all expected to miss out.

To rub salt into the wounds, there are another four players doubtful for today's game. James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie could add to Postecoglou's concerns.

As for Manchester United, Amad Diallo is the latest to be ruled out with an ACL injury, while Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton, Altay Bayindir and Kobbie Mainoo are also set to miss out. Meanwhile, Toby Collyer and Manuel Ugarte are doubts.

Ange Postecoglou pointed to Liverpool's defeat at the hands of Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round as evidence of the challenges Tottenham Hotspur faces amid the team's extensive injury woes. Arne Slot rested ten players for the Reds' loss in Devon, while Spurs were missing 11 key squad members for their defeat by Aston Villa.

Tottenham has seen two of its three hopes of silverware dashed in recent days, with the club crashing out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, and the Europa League is the only competition that remains as Postecoglou aims to deliver on his vow that he always wins a trophy during his second season as the manager of a new club.

In the wake of Spurs' recent setback, Postecoglou cited Liverpool's upset during an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, outlining how his own team's significant number of injuries is hampering its form. "If you take nine, 10 or 11 players out of any team for one weekend, I reckon it'll affect them; we've been like this since mid-November," Postecoglou commented.

When asked whether this was the main issue or if there were deeper problems, Postecoglou retorted: "Well, I'll ask you the question: if you take 11 players - how did Liverpool go today?" He elaborated on the depth of Spurs' challenges, prodding further: "We're not talking about one or two - and not just for one weekend, by the way. So get Liverpool to do that for the next two and a half months."

Just three days after Liverpool's 4-0 win over Tottenham at Anfield in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, Arne Slot made a complete overhaul of his outfield players for the 1-0 loss at Plymouth, while Spurs made four changes. Ben Davies, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma were relegated to the bench, while Richarlison was absent from the squad due to injury.

The former Everton striker joined Brennan Johnson, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Dominic Solanke, Gugliemo Vicario, James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Timo Werner and Wilson Odobert on the injury list. Dane Scarlett, who was brought back from Oxford United by Spurs last month, was ineligible to play having already featured for the U's against Exeter City in the third round.

Liverpool is going back to Wembley. Slamming the door in the faces of Spurs amid a rare opportunity for the London side to fight for silverware, Arne Slot's side booked comfortable passage to the Carabao Cup final, impressing national media in the process.

It's hard to say what was best about the performance: was it the composure of Cody Gakpo to open the scoring and relieve any building tension, or the emphatic Mohamed Salah penalty to put Liverpool ahead on aggregate? Or perhaps the sweeping move finished off by Dominik Szoboszlai, or the way the midfield didn't give Spurs time to think all evening?

The icing on the cake was applied by Virgil van Dijk, when he rose highest to make it 4-0 on the night, and 4-1 on aggregate. Liverpool will now seek to retain its title against Newcastle next month.

The Guardian: "Ange Postecoglou mused recently about hope and the inherent futility of it in terms of the way things have gone for Tottenham this season. Every time the manager had seen "light at the end of the tunnel", he said, it had "usually been an oncoming train".

"He was talking about the club’s injury situation, the crisis that never seemingly ends, and yet the line about the train was an appropriate way to describe Liverpool, who did not so much roll into the Carabao Cup final, their first such showpiece under Arne Slot, as steamroll their way there. They refused to countenance any other outcome. They utterly flattened Spurs.

"Who can stop Liverpool this season? It is the question on everybody’s lips as they look down from the summit of the Premier League and eye glory in the Champions League and FA Cup, too. Nobody believed Spurs would do so here, probably not the diehards who made the trip north and possibly not even the players themselves – certainly not once the reality of what they were facing dawned on them.

"It was over, really, when Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot early in the second half to give them the aggregate lead – his 26th goal of the season. At that point, Spurs were just about still in it but by now absolutely nobody believed they were. The evidence had been mapped out in graphic detail across the Anfield turf where Liverpool were quicker, sharper, hungrier. Simply remorseless."

Independent: "A few years ago, Liverpool were mocked for adopting a slogan of "this means more". In a match that surely meant more to Tottenham than them, Liverpool nevertheless won emphatically.

It sums up the realities of the two clubs. Tottenham, desperate for a first trophy since 2008, abandoned the principles of Angeball to try and protect their first-leg lead and failed. Liverpool, with far greater priorities, nonetheless booked a final date with Newcastle as Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk struck. They ran riot without really needing to.

""Reaching a final should always be special, even for this club," said Arne Slot. Yet his initial, one-word reaction, rather summed it up. "Pleasant," he smiled."

The Mirror: "Mo Salah sank to his knees, kissed the turf and soaked in another glorious night at Anfield.

"Salah scored his 26th goal of the season from the penalty spot to steer Liverpool towards Wembley and the chance of more history in the Carabao Cup. Liverpool have already won the trophy a record ten times and now they are in the hunt for more when they go head-to-head with Newcastle on March 16.

"But it is also a chance for more silverware for Salah as Liverpool are chasing glory on four fronts with their Egyptian king in the form of his life. Salah, 32, is cherishing these moments because his contract is running down and yet that seems to have only made him more focused on winning as much as he can."

The Star: "Arne Slot's machine continues to provide huge dividends to Liverpool and it might just end up providing them with football's equivalent of the jackpot.

"Tottenham were the latest team to pay the price for attempting to stop the relentless charge of Slot's men towards a quadruple.

"In one of the most predictable outcomes of the season, Liverpool overcame a 1-0 deficit with ease to seal a place in next month's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle and make sure that Spurs' long wait for a trophy goes on a little longer."

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup final with Arne Slot reaching a showpiece Wembley occasion at the first time of asking. Spurs held a 1-0 lead before kick-off but that didn't last long.

Cody Gakpo found the back of the Tottenham net in the first half to give his side a thoroughly deserved lead. While by half-time it was only 1-0 on the night and 1-1 on aggregate, it didn't take long for Liverpool to go in front. Darwin Nunez was fouled inside the penalty area and Mohamed Salah emphatically fired a shot into the top corner.

Dominik Szoboszlai capped the win with a third goal after 75 minutes and from that point, while Son Heung-min did crash a shot off the crossbar, Liverpool was heading to Wembley. Virgil van Dijk headed home a fourth and Arne Slot's superb start to life on Merseyside goes on.

Winners

Given a go from the off, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez both did their chances of playing more minutes in the coming weeks no harm. The pair impressed in their positions and helped pen Tottenham back in its own half.

Gakpo did his chances of winning the Carabao Cup Golden Boot no harm by moving into the top scorer position and Arne Slot has made a final with Liverpool at the first time of asking. All around, it was a good night's work.

Losers

Richarlison was involved in a mini-confrontation with Virgil van Dijk early on and then booed every time he went near the ball. The former Everton striker was kept quiet by Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate and by half-time had gone off injured. Spurs won't be glad of their latest setback with so many players sidelined at the moment.

The home crowd, though, took great delight in the Brazilian's misfortune. As he thumped the grass, The Kop watched on as his exit from the game was confirmed.

Player ratings

Caoimhin Kelleher (6). The Liverpool goalkeeper barely touched the ball in the first half and that didn't change much in the second either. With his feet, he was good, but he was never put under any real pressure. It took 74 minutes for him to use his hands. He only doesn't score more highly because he didn't have chance.

Conor Bradley (7). Typically strong in his forward running, it was another good showing from the Irishman. Already having gone in hard on Kylian Mbappe this season, he did the same thing to Son Heung-min here (albeit in a different part of the pitch). Quiet-ish going forward but he didn't need to be any louder.

Ibrahima Konate (7). Up against the physical Richarlison, Konate relished the battle and gave the former Everton man no time on the ball. He is always front-footed and aggressive but can step that up a notch when required.

he home crowd was very glad he did against an old foe, though he had to do less than a half against the Spurs number nine before he limped off injured. In possession, he played a few risky passes but without the ball he was very solid.

Virgil van Dijk (8). Got involved with Richarlison early on when there was no need to rile the Brazilian. After that, though, the duel was only beer going to have one outcome. Van Dijk was the clear winner. He strolled through the game with or without Richarlison on the field and even found time to score a goal.

Andy Robertson (7). Chosen ahead of Kostas Tsimikas after a strong showing against Bournemouth last weekend, Robertson played well again up against the tricky Dejan Kulusevski. He didn't give his opposite number much but his distribution could have been better at times.

Ryan Gravenberch (8). At this point, excellence is expected, but it shouldn't be underestimated. Gravenberch screened his defense really well and produced his trademark turn a couple of times. The Dutch midfielder has so much class at the base of the Liverpool midfield and Rodrigo Bentancur and co just couldn't rob him.

Curtis Jones (7). Shuttling around the midfield and progressing the ball slowly upfield with neat passing, this was a good performance from Jones. He lost the ball a couple of times but that tended to come from him being passed it while surrounded by bodies. Generally, he kept it and progressed it forward.

Dominik Szoboszlai (8). A creative hub in the middle of the field, Szoboszlai was heavily involved in the build-up for his side. The Hungarian is so powerful with his off-the-ball work but so delicate and deft with what he does in possession.

Mohamed Salah (8). Forced Antonin Kinsky into a good save with a half-volley in the first half but wasn't hugely involved near the goal, where he is always a threat. His penalty, with Nunez being fouled after latching onto his perfect pass, was perfect, smashed into the top corner. As ever, when the moments that mattered came around, he was there to deliver.

Darwin Nunez (8). He didn't have many chances to score but the Uruguayan worked the two Spurs center-backs really hard, creating space with his runs and chasing and harrying the opposition. He won the spot kick that Salah converted and played well overall. He still needs to score more but he looked really confident and suited to this game.

Cody Gakpo (8). Opened the scoring for his team with a good near-post finish. The Dutchman has a good record in the Carabao Cup: that's five in five games this season, moving him ahead of Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus. Plenty of defensive work on top of that.

Substitutes

Diogo Jota (6). He had one chance to score but put it wide. He loves playing against Spurs and should get a more sustained opportunity in the team at the weekend in Plymouth.

Liverpool has, as expected, gone strong for its Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Spurs at Anfield. The Reds are 1-0 down at the halfway mark in the tie thanks to Lucas Bergvall's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium a month ago.

Caoimhin Kelleher is in goal for Liverpool with no Alisson Becker even on the bench (Vitezslav Jaros is in reserve). Trent Alexander-Arnold is injured so Conor Bradley comes into the team at full-back. Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson make up the rest of the back four.

In midfield, Arne Slot has gone with Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones. Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott are among the options who can be called for from the bench.

Mohamed Salah, of course, is in the Liverpool attack. He lines up alongside Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota available in reserve.

"The equation tonight is pretty simple — we need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg if we are to achieve our objective of reaching next month's final at Wembley, in the knowledge that Spurs will have the same ambition," Slot writes in his matchday program notes.

"When the prize is so big and two very good teams share the same aim, it usually guarantees a very competitive game of football and this is exactly what we are expecting. This is what we got at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the start of January so it makes sense that, if anything, the desire of everyone involved will only increase given how small the margins are and what is at stake.

"Of course, I was not at Liverpool the last time that the club reached a Wembley final in this competition last year, but I know how special that day was for the players, staff and supporters. I have no doubt given what happened on that occasion that it is a day which will be spoken about for many years to come, but our job now is to look to create new memories."

Liverpool starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo. Subs: Jaros, Quansah, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Elliott, Jota, Diaz, Chiesa.

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.

Arne Slot will be forced into at least one change on Thursday night when Liverpool faces Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg.

The Reds trail by a single goal from the first meeting four weeks ago and, despite the scoreline, will be favorites to progress to the Wembley final in mid-March. But Liverpool will have to try and beat Spurs without the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold on Thursday.

The defender pulled up early in Saturday’s win over Bournemouth and the injury sustained on the south coast will rule him out of the Tottenham match. “He is going to miss the game tomorrow and we have to see if he is able to play on Sunday,” said Slot ahead of the second leg.

Without him, Liverpool will almost certainly turn to Conor Bradley, with Slot expected to name a strong line-up for the game. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could start at the heart of the defense, although Jarell Quansah hasn’t missed a single minute of the side’s Carabao Cup campaign.

There could also be an alteration at left-back with Andy Robertson perhaps in need of a rest, especially given Slot has often spoken about the importance of rotating his regular starters. If he does drop out, Kostas Tsimikas could start.

Behind the back four, Slot has a decision to make on whether to select Alisson - who started in the first leg - or Caoimhin Kelleher - who has been a regular in the cup competitions this season.

“I know, but the two goalkeepers don't know yet,” was Slot’s coy response to questions in the pre-match press conference. “So if I am going to leave this room, I am going to go to the media next door, and then afterwards, I'm going to inform the goalkeepers which decision I have made.”

In midfield, it’s likely the manager’s preferred three of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai will form the basis of his trio, although Curtis Jones might be an option to return to the starting XI. Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott will probably begin the game on the bench.

As for Liverpool’s attacking options, Diogo Jota might not be fit to start following his recent injury issues, and Federico Chiesa clearly isn’t up to speed yet. Darwin Nunez could come into the starting XI, but Slot sticking with his preferred front three of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Cody Gakpo seems the most likely outcome.

Ange Postecoglou has revealed a huge injury blow for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of its game against Liverpool on Thursday night.

Spurs travel to Anfield for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, leading 1-0 from the first meeting in London four weeks ago. A patched-up Tottenham side managed to inflict a rare defeat on Arne Slot and had hoped to have more numbers available for Thursday's match.

In particular, center-backs Cristian Romero and Mickey van de Ven have been inching closer to returns in recent weeks. The latter played 45 minutes against Elfsborg in the Europa League last week but was omitted from the squad against Brentford on Sunday.

Postecoglou explained at the weekend that he was trying to keep Van de Ven ‘on ice’ but said he could be available this week. Speaking on Wednesday, however, ahead of the second leg, the ex-Celtic boss said he won’t be able to select his first-choice center-backs.

“With Micky, and Romero to a certain extent, I feel like we've got to be a bit more conservative with them. Micky got through the game alright, but I don't think he feels he's ready for that step up to the Premier League, the intensity of it. The same with Romero.

“My view and decision is that we're not going to risk these guys [against Liverpool], keep them ticking over in training and try to make sure they are absolutely ready, without any more setbacks.”

Asked if Van de Ven’s absence was down to fitness or discomfort, Postecoglu replied: “It's a bit of everything. He got through the game [against Elfsborg] no problem, but we had a look at the figures, in terms of physical [output in the game] and he does a lot more in training, and he got through it okay.”

Spurs defender Radu Dragasin suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week to further reduce Tottenham’s defensive options, although they were boosted by the arrival of Kevin Danso on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline - and he could make his debut against Liverpool.

“After losing Radu, I sat down and thought about what we had ahead of us still... don't get me wrong, we've got a couple of massive games this week, for sure, but we've also bought ourselves a couple of weeks without midweek fixtures [in February],” Postecoglou explained, still on the topic of Van de Ven and Romero’s availability. “Beyond that, Europe kicks in, which is massive for us, hopefully we're in a final in the Carabao Cup, hopefully we’re still in the FA Cup. I just don’t see the sense right now in risking that.

“Having Kevin in is a massive bonus for us. He [Van de Ven] hasn’t re-injured the injury or anything like that. I just feel we need to get more into him, I think he feels he needs to get more into him, same with Romero, so it will just be a wait and see approach.”

Should Postecoglou opt against starting Danso, he could select the same defensive pairing as last weekend when Archie Gray and Ben Davies played at the heart of defence in the 1-0 win over Brentford.