Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular finish capped a 3-1 victory for Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield, ensuring the Reds’ progression while the Spurs could only take solace in registering their first goal of the season against top‑flight opposition. The match opened with a frantic tempo as both sides sought early dominance. Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall had a golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead, but his close‑range effort struck the outstretched legs of Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, prompting a swift save that kept the score level. Liverpool responded almost immediately.
Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister curled a beautifully placed shot high into the top corner, giving the home side the opening goal and setting the tone for the first half. Tottenham tried to answer, with Mohammed Kudus attempting a high‑volley after a clever run by Destiny Udogie, but his strike sailed wide of the post, underscoring the visitors’ lack of clinical finishing. The second half saw Liverpool double their lead when Dutch forward Cody Gakpo thundered a powerful strike from just outside the box, his shot beating Tottenham keeper Martin Dubravka and confirming the Reds’ control of the tie. Spurs, however, were not ready to surrender.
In the 69th minute, Conor Gallagher rose to meet a cross and headed the ball into the net, pulling a goal back for Roberto De Zerbi’s side and injecting a fresh wave of optimism among the Tottenham faithful. The drama intensified in the dying minutes. Mamardashvili produced a world‑class fingertip save to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser, diving low to parry a low‑driven effort that seemed destined for the back of the net. Then, in stoppage time, Szoboszlai stepped up.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, he unleashed a ferocious left‑footed shot that swerved past Dubravka and nestled into the far corner, sealing a memorable 3-1 win for Liverpool. Andoni Iraola, Liverpool’s manager, praised his side’s intensity and the quality of the finishing.
He highlighted that the first two goals were the result of well‑executed build‑up play, while the third was a “worldie” that demonstrated Szoboszlai’s ability to change a game in an instant. Iraola also singled out young midfielder Lewis Koumas, noting the energy he brings to the squad.
“The enthusiasm he shows in training is contagious,” the manager said. “When the senior players see that drive, they are compelled to match it, and it lifts the whole team.” Tottenham’s coach Roberto De Zerbi remained optimistic despite the defeat. He stressed that his side created several chances and that the players need to stay calm and find the “click” that will turn potential into points in upcoming fixtures.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp offered his perspective, describing Liverpool’s performance as the best he had witnessed from the team. He praised their quick, aggressive pressing that forced Tottenham into errors, drawing a parallel with Iraola’s previous work at Bournemouth. Redknapp also acknowledged Tottenham’s positives, noting Bergvall’s solid display and the Spurs’ sharpness, while conceding that Liverpool simply had enough quality on the day to secure the win. The match also featured a series of notable moments captured in the broadcast timeline: a missed chance by Kudus at the 32nd minute, a save by Mamardashvili at the 86th minute, and the decisive goal by Szoboszlai in the 90+1 minute.
Beyond the immediate result, the fixture highlighted Liverpool’s depth and tactical flexibility under Iraola. Ten changes to the starting XI still produced a cohesive unit, with players like Trey Nyoni delivering a mature midfield performance. The win also underscores the importance of set‑piece execution and clinical finishing, areas where Tottenham fell short.
Looking ahead, Liverpool will aim to build on this momentum in the next round of the Carabao Cup, while Tottenham will regroup and seek to translate the flashes of quality shown at Anfield into a more consistent league campaign. Overall, Szoboszlai’s late stunner will be remembered as the defining moment of the tie, a testament to his growing influence at Liverpool and a reminder of how a single strike can alter the narrative of a cup match.