Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular finish clinched a 3-1 triumph for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield. The match unfolded with Liverpool taking the initiative early on, thanks to a well‑crafted opening goal from Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine midfielder curled a high, looping shot into the far corner, giving the home side the first lead and setting the tone for the rest of the half.
Tottenham struggled to respond immediately, and their first real chance came from Lucas Bergvall, who saw a clear opportunity inside the box but saw his low strike deflected off the outstretched legs of Tottenham goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The reflex save kept the score at 1‑0 and highlighted the importance of Mamardvili’s quick reactions throughout the game.
Liverpool continued to press, and Cody Gakpo added a second goal before the hour mark. Gakpo’s strike was a powerful, low‑driven effort that left the Tottenham defence scrambling and forced Martin Dubravka to dive helplessly to his right. The Dutch forward’s finish doubled Liverpool’s advantage and seemed to put the tie beyond Spurs’ reach. However, the visitors were not finished.
In the 69th minute, Conor Gallagher rose to meet a cross and headed the ball into the net, giving Roberto De Zerbi’s side a glimmer of hope. The goal reduced the deficit to 2‑1 and injected a surge of energy into the Tottenham ranks, as they began to push higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser. Just when it appeared the match could swing back and forth, Mamardashvili produced a moment of brilliance of his own.
In the 86th minute, Omar Marmoush found himself in a promising position and unleashed a shot that seemed destined for the back of the net. The Liverpool keeper, however, made a fingertip save that was both acrobatic and decisive, denying Tottenham a crucial equaliser and keeping the Reds in control. The drama reached its climax in stoppage time.
Szoboszlai, who had been a constant threat on the left flank, collected the ball just outside the penalty area. With a swift turn and a precise, curling effort, he sent the ball soaring over Dubravka’s outstretched arms and into the top corner. The goal, scored in the 90+1 minute, was a true masterpiece – a "worldie" as the Liverpool manager later described it – and it sealed a 3‑1 victory for the home side.
In the post‑match press conference, Liverpool’s manager Andoni Iraola praised the quality of the three goals, emphasizing the importance of the first two as they stemmed from Liverpool’s own build‑up play. He singled out Szoboszlai’s strike as a moment of individual brilliance, noting that while some players might be considered a long‑shot option, Dom’s ability to produce such a goal made a huge difference. Iraola also highlighted the impact of young midfielder Lewis Koumas, describing his energy in training as "contagious" and suggesting that his enthusiasm lifts the entire squad. The manager pointed out that the 10‑player rotation used for the cup tie seemed to work, with players like Trey Nyoni delivering a mature performance in the midfield.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports, remained optimistic despite the loss. He acknowledged that his side created several chances and that the performance showed promise, especially given the newness of his project at the club. De Zerbi expressed belief in his players’ quality and insisted that the team would continue to improve, even if they fell short on this occasion. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp offered his perspective on both teams.
He praised Liverpool’s intensity, noting that they repeatedly won the ball back due to their quick, aggressive pressing – a hallmark of Iraola’s philosophy that he previously applied at Bournemouth. Regarding Tottenham, Redknapp highlighted the sharpness displayed by the Spurs, especially the promising work of Bergvall, and suggested that the team could have scored two or three goals on a different day. Overall, the match showcased Liverpool’s clinical edge in cup competitions and their ability to produce moments of individual magic, epitomised by Szoboszlai’s late winner.
For Tottenham, the game provided a glimpse of potential, with Gallagher’s goal and the overall attacking intent offering a foundation to build upon as they continue their Premier League campaign. The result sends Liverpool through to the next round of the Carabao Cup, while Spurs return to the league with valuable lessons and the encouragement of having scored their first goal of the season against top‑flight opposition.