Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a breathtaking finish that clinched a 3-1 victory for Liverpool against Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup, played at Anfield. The match unfolded with Liverpool taking an early foothold thanks to a well‑crafted opening goal from Alexis Mac Allister, who curled a high‑arching shot into the net, setting the tone for the Reds. Shortly after, Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool's advantage with a powerful strike that left the Tottenham defence scrambling.
By the hour mark, Liverpool appeared comfortably in control, their fluid passing and relentless pressing keeping the Spurs on the back foot. Tottenham, however, were not ready to surrender without a fight.
Conor Gallagher, who had been a constant threat in the midfield, managed to pull one back for Roberto De Zerbi's side, narrowing the deficit and injecting a surge of optimism among the Spurs supporters. The game’s drama intensified in the closing stages when Tottenham's forward Omar Marmoush found himself in a promising position to equalise, only to be denied by a spectacular fingertip save from Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who managed to block the shot with his outstretched fingers. The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time.
Szoboszlai, who had been a quiet presence for much of the game, unleashed a thunderous strike from the edge of the box. The ball swerved past Tottenham's goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, finding the back of the net and sealing the win for Liverpool.
The goal was described by commentators as a "worldie" – a term reserved for moments of extraordinary skill and precision. With that final blow, Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool progressed to the next round, while Spurs could only take solace in having scored their first goal of the campaign against top‑flight opposition.
Key match events, as recorded by the official match timeline, highlight the ebb and flow of the encounter: - 11' – A close‑range attempt by Lucas Bergvall was blocked by Mamardashvili's legs, preventing an early Spurs lead. - 21' – Mac Allister's opening goal, a high‑curved effort that gave Liverpool the lead.
- 32' – Mohammed Kudus missed a well‑placed volley, sending the ball over the bar. - 54' – Gakpo's second goal, a powerful finish that doubled Liverpool's advantage. - 69' – Gallagher's header reduced the deficit for Tottenham.
- 86' – Mamardashvili produced an incredible save to deny Marmoush a potential equaliser. - 90+1' – Szoboszlai's stunning strike sealed the victory. The early missed chance by Bergvall could have changed the narrative had it found the back of the net.
Instead, his shot struck Mamardashvili’s legs, allowing Liverpool to capitalize on the mis‑cue. Mac Allister’s opener was a textbook example of a winger cutting inside and delivering a precise, lofted ball that beat the keeper. In the first half, Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus attempted a volley after a clever pass from Destiny Udogie, but his effort flew wide, illustrating the fine margins that separate a goal from a miss.
Liverpool’s second goal, delivered by Cody Gakpo, showcased the team’s ability to transition quickly from defense to attack. Gakpo received a well‑timed through ball, took a few touches to settle, and then hammered the ball home, a move that epitomised Liverpool’s aggressive pressing and swift counter‑attacking style under Iraola. The Dutch midfielder, who was a summer target for Tottenham, has already outscored the entire Spurs squad in Premier League goals this season, a testament to his form and importance.
Tottenham’s lone goal came from a determined header by Gallagher, who rose above the Liverpool defence to meet a cross. While the goal offered a brief glimmer of hope, Liverpool’s defensive resilience, particularly the performance of Mamardashvili, ensured that the Spurs could not mount a sustained comeback. The final minutes saw Szoboszlai step up, his long‑range effort curling past Dubravka and igniting the Anfield crowd. In the post‑match press conference, Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola praised his side’s attacking efficiency and highlighted the quality of the third goal.
"The first two goals were important, but the third was a worldie," he said, emphasizing Szoboszlai’s impact. Iraola also lauded the energy displayed by young midfielder Lewis Koumas, noting that his enthusiasm is contagious and raises the overall intensity of the team. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi remained optimistic despite the loss.
He acknowledged that his players created several chances and expressed belief in their ability to find the "click" needed to win future matches. De Zerbi admitted disappointment with the result but stressed that the season is still in its early stages and that the squad possesses high quality and potential.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp offered his perspective, describing Liverpool’s performance as the best he has witnessed from the team. He pointed out that Tottenham’s attempts to play out from the back played into Liverpool’s hands, allowing the Reds to win back possession quickly and launch rapid attacks. Redknapp also commented on Tottenham’s positives, noting their sharpness and the promising display from Bergvall, while suggesting that with a different day, Spurs could have produced two or three goals. Overall, the match demonstrated Liverpool’s growing cohesion under Iraola, their ability to convert chances, and the decisive influence of a single moment of brilliance from Szoboszlai.
For Tottenham, the defeat highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in defensive organization and finishing, but also provided a platform to build upon as they continue their campaign. The result sends Liverpool further into the Carabao Cup, while Spurs must regroup and look ahead to their next league fixture, hoping to translate the flashes of promise shown at Anfield into tangible success.