Tottenham found the net at Anfield, but their latest trip to Merseyside ended in another frustrating defeat. Roberto De Zerbi praised the quality within his squad after the game, yet Spurs’ travelling supporters were left with little to celebrate as Liverpool secured a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Tottenham enjoyed plenty of possession and looked comfortable in several attacking phases, but Liverpool were far more clinical when opportunities arrived. Alexis Mac Allister continued to strengthen his case for a new contract with another impressive midweek goal, while Cody Gakpo maintained his excellent start to the season by scoring once and setting up another.

The decisive moment, however, belonged to Dominik Szoboszlai. The Liverpool vice-captain produced a spectacular effort from around 25 yards in stoppage time, putting the result beyond doubt with one of the outstanding finishes of the night.

“It was a worldie,” Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said of Szoboszlai’s strike. He also highlighted the Hungarian’s confidence from distance, explaining that the midfielder is trusted to find the net even when shooting from positions where others might hesitate.

Spurs Fail to Make Their Chances Count

Tottenham did manage to create enough opportunities to make Liverpool uncomfortable. Their pressure eventually produced a goal through Conor Gallagher, although the goal exposed an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Mateus Fernandes delivered a dangerous corner into the area, and Mamardashvili failed to make proper contact while attempting to clear it. Frimpong also lost track of Gallagher, leaving the Spurs midfielder completely unmarked at the far post. Gallagher needed only a close-range header to reduce the deficit.

That moment offered Tottenham renewed hope, but Mamardashvili quickly recovered from his mistake. The goalkeeper made several important saves, including an excellent intervention to deny Omar Marmoush after the forward’s effort took a slight touch off Ronald Araújo.

Spurs’ inability to convert their chances remained a recurring problem. Lucas Bergvall had an excellent opportunity from a Destiny Udogie cross, but Mamardashvili reacted quickly enough to make an improvised save. Mohammed Kudus then wasted another opening, sending his volley over the bar from only four yards.

De Zerbi acknowledged that his side must become more decisive in front of goal.

“We have to shoot more, we have to shoot better and we have to finish better the clear situations,” the Tottenham manager said. He described the result as disappointing and frustrating while arguing that his team had suffered from bad luck during recent matches.

Despite the setback, De Zerbi maintained his belief in the squad and insisted there were several areas that needed improvement.

Liverpool’s Young Players Shift the Momentum

The home side gradually took control through an energetic contribution from four younger players: Lewis Koumas, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha.

Koumas was particularly effective leading the attack. His aggressive running and willingness to press reflected the intensity Iraola expects from Liverpool’s forwards, irrespective of their status or transfer value.

Liverpool eventually broke the deadlock after Ngumoha carried the ball across the Tottenham penalty area. Udogie’s attempt to stop the winger only succeeded in directing the ball into the path of Mac Allister.

The Argentina international wasted no time. With his body positioned for the strike, Mac Allister combined power and precision to send the ball into the top-left corner beyond Martin Dubravka.

The goal came during a spell in which Tottenham had already squandered their best opportunities through Bergvall and Kudus, making Liverpool’s clinical approach even more damaging.

Gakpo Adds Another Punishing Finish

Liverpool doubled their advantage nine minutes into the second half following another well-constructed attack.

McConnell and Ngumoha were again involved as Liverpool worked the ball forward. Milos Kerkez eventually found Mac Allister in space, prompting frustration from sections of the Kop because the full-back had chosen to pass rather than attempt a shot himself.

The decision was soon vindicated.

Mac Allister immediately played the ball into Gakpo’s path, and the Netherlands forward moved inside with Archie Gray unable to make an effective challenge. Gakpo then produced a composed angled finish that beat Dubravka and gave Liverpool a two-goal cushion.

For Tottenham, the second goal represented another example of a promising spell being undone by Liverpool’s greater efficiency.

Spurs had enjoyed 56% possession compared with Liverpool’s 44%, and they also registered more attempts, with 17 efforts in total against Liverpool’s 12. Yet possession and volume counted for little when the decisive moments arrived.

Gallagher Gives Spurs a Brief Lifeline

Tottenham refused to completely disappear from the contest, helped by the unwavering support of their travelling fans.

Their persistence was rewarded when Fernandes’ corner caused confusion inside the Liverpool penalty area. Mamardashvili came off his line but failed to punch the delivery away, while Frimpong did not pick up Gallagher at the back post.

With nobody close to him, Gallagher was able to head home from close range.

The goal briefly changed the atmosphere and gave Tottenham something to chase, although Liverpool continued to pose a threat at the opposite end.

Marmoush nearly restored the two-goal margin after his effort was deflected slightly by Araújo, but Mamardashvili again intervened to keep Spurs within reach.

Liverpool also came close through Szoboszlai. Tosin Adarabioyo’s misplaced pass created an excellent opening, but Dubravka was able to make the save. The defender was later fortunate when Alexander Isak’s cross struck his arm inside the area, with no VAR available to review the incident.

Szoboszlai Delivers the Final Blow

Tottenham’s resistance finally ended deep into stoppage time.

Gakpo flicked the ball forward, and Szoboszlai controlled it against his chest before unleashing a magnificent long-range strike. Dubravka had no answer as the ball flew beyond him to settle the contest.

Szoboszlai’s celebration saw him point toward his ear, a gesture that appeared to reference the criticism he received following Liverpool’s draw with Fulham.

For the midfielder, the goal provided a memorable response on a night when Liverpool’s finishing ultimately separated the two teams.

The broader concern belongs to Tottenham. They had periods of control, created several clear openings and finished with the greater share of possession, but their inability to turn those moments into goals proved costly once again.

Liverpool, meanwhile, demonstrated exactly what Spurs lacked: composure when the decisive chances arrived. Mac Allister and Gakpo supplied the early damage before Szoboszlai’s spectacular stoppage-time effort provided the final statement.

With the victory, Liverpool advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, while Tottenham are left to reflect on another match in which promising attacking situations produced too little reward.