Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Carabao Cup third round – as it happened

Key events5d agoFULL TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Szoboszlai 90+1)5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Gallagher 69)5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Gakpo 54)5d agoHALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Mac Allister 21)6d agoThe teams6d agoPreambleScott MurrayTue 15 Sep 2026 17.40 EDTFirst published on Tue 15 Sep 2026 13.30 EDTShareKey events5d agoFULL TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Szoboszlai 90+1)5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Gallagher 69)5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Gakpo 54)5d agoHALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur5d agoGOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Mac Allister 21)6d agoThe teams6d agoPreamble5d ago17.40 EDTAndy Hunter was at Anfield tonight. Here’s his verdict. Thanks for reading this MBM.

Updated at 17.51 EDT5d ago17.39 EDTA downcast yet defiant Roberto De Zerbi talks to Sky Sports. “We can improve … we conceded in defence from the long ball … we knew what we had to do … the second goal, maybe Archie Gray had to stay closer to Cody Gakpo … but we played the first 20 minutes very well … we created enough chances to win the game … it is not a very good moment but I believe in my players … I told them five minutes ago to stay calm … we need to click … I don’t know if we are able to make this click on Saturday, but playing like this, and believing in our style of play, we will win many games and score many goals … the quality of my players is very high … there are many positive things … we are sorry and disappointed … we did not deserve to lose but it is the first season … we are building totally different things with me … I believe in this project … I have no doubt … I believe in this club … but now we are not so lucky … if they lose, I lose … if they win, they win, because the credit is for them … we are suffering because the football is not good, but in football we can change everything in a couple of games.”

5d ago17.26 EDTAndoni Iraola speaks to Sky Sports and reiterates his manifesto. “Very happy with the team overall … they have given us energy … the players up front were giving everything … it almost forces the ones at the back, no? … they are going, we need to go with the same intensity … today was a good example … if you don’t play with this intensity against a team like Spurs, you are not going to see the ball … everyone has contributed … a great save from Giorgi … happy for him … it is important for us to have as many players as we can … we are in four competitions … for me today, after the other day it was clear that we needed energy, fresh legs … players that can give us this intensity … the games when we show this level of aggressiveness, we look better … the more things I have in my head, the more options I have, and the more difficult decisions I have to make, normally for the team it is going to be better.”

5d ago17.16 EDTPost-match postbag. “It’s startling to see how static the Spurs back line is tonight. When a De Zerbi team falls apart, there are 11 players running in 12 different directions. This is like watching Thomas Frank’s Tottenham. Maybe the problem isn’t the manager” – Kári Tulinius

“I’m not completely colour blind but do have red/green colour deficiency. Weirdly, because of an ongoing condition my left eye is considerably more colour blind than my right. I should probably consider adopting a rakish Nick Fury eye-patch to watch football. But seriously, what I have realised as I get older is that those of us with red/green deficiency see a much more washed out version of reality. I support Liverpool, but I feel like I’ve never really seen the Reds. It’s weird thinking that other Liverpool supporters see a much more vibrant version than myself and others with the same problem do” – Phil Sawyer

“Can I just shock you? I like the Carabao Cup” – Matt Dony

“Oof - I nearly jinxed that one (67 min)! My emissions are safe for another week!” – Adam Kent Ibanez

Updated at 17.41 EDT5d ago17.13 EDTCody Gakpo speaks to Sky Sports: “It was a good performance from our side … the young guys put in a lot of energy … which is required at this level … all of them can be very proud of themselves … solid … we recovered the ball a few times high on the pitch, which is what we want … quality in the finishes … unfortunately we conceded … we were under pressure but we were not nervous … maybe games before we would have conceded a second one … but we were very focused.”

Lewis Koumas – who was deservedly named Player of the Match for his relentless work up front – adds: “We tried to put all the things we learn in training into the game … we did it quite well today … we did the best we could … it was very enjoyable … not many people hit a ball like Dom … it was top quality … we will try to win the cup.”

5d ago17.09 EDTPost-match postbag: Dominik Szoboszlai special. “That was Lewis Dunk-esque!” – Andrew Goudie

“gőzvontató” – Paul Griffin

5d ago17.02 EDTThe rain comes down, most of it heavily in Tottenham Hotspur hearts. One of their two realistic chances for a trophy this year is gone before September is out. But at least they showed some sparkle in attack tonight, after a few turgid performances; Giorgi Mamardashvili may have gifted them a goal, but denied them a few others. Liverpool meanwhile are through, their dreams of a record 11th League Cup still alive. And they’re good to watch again, though still very much a work in progress, with Andoni Iraola facing some big decisions in midfield. Plenty for positives for both sides; plenty of work still to do. It was fun, though, wasn’t it?

5d ago16.55 EDTFULL TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham HotspurThe whistle goes, and Alexis Mac Allister gets a warm hug from his old Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. Liverpool are through to tomorrow’s fourth-round draw. Tottenham’s wait for a first League Cup since 2008 goes on.

Updated at 17.33 EDT5d ago16.54 EDT90 min +4: Maddison again from the left. His cross-cum-shot is deflected goalwards, and Mamardashvili again reacts brilliantly to parry. The ball breaks to Tosin, who with no reaction time can only steer wide. The keeper’s had a great game, with the reasonably large caveat of his being responsible for Tottenham’s goal. He’s made a series of fine reaction stops.

5d ago16.52 EDT90 min +3: Maddison sashays down the left and crosses, the ball somehow evading four navy shirts in the box and sailing clear of danger.

5d ago16.52 EDT90 min +2: That was such a sweet strike. Szoboszlai’s name rings out from the Kop, and pats the Liver bird on his chest.

5d ago16.51 EDTGOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Szoboszlai 90+1)The answer to that question is a resounding no. Szoboszlai answers his critics (ahem) by unleashing a pearler into the top-right corner, chesting down a ball 35 yards out and sending it swerving out of Dubravka’s reach!

Updated at 17.02 EDT5d ago16.50 EDT90 min: There will be four additional minutes. Can Spurs force a penalty shoot-out?

5d ago16.49 EDT89 min: Anfield is nervous, and Savio bursts his way through a couple of challenges down the inside-right channel before tugging a wild shot across the face of goal and out of play. The rain is back, and it’s coming down in stair-rods.

5d ago16.48 EDT88 min: From the corner, a game of head tennis breaks out before Spurs eventually clear. Solanke meanwhile has come on for Tel.

5d ago16.47 EDT87 min: Isak comes on for Koumas, and is immediately in the thick of things, scarpering down the left, entering the box, and curling a shot that pings off Tosin’s elbow and out for a corner. Liverpool want a penalty, and Iraola is booked for having his say on the touchline. But it’ll be a corner for Liverpool.

5d ago16.46 EDT86 min: … Maddison curls towards the top right, but that’s easy pickings for the keeper.

5d ago16.46 EDT85 min: Frimpong brings down Tosin on the Spurs left touchline. Robertson delivers the free kick; Bergvall’s presence at the far stick wins a corner. From that, the ball’s worked right to left, Marmoush opening his body on the left-hand edge of the six-yard box and looking for the far corner. There’s a slight deflection towards the left, and Mamardashvili readjusts in mid-air to swipe the ball out for a corner. From which …

Updated at 17.18 EDT5d ago16.43 EDT83 min: Mac Allister and Szoboszlai one-two their way into the Spurs box from the left. Szoboszlai is clear, but the pass sticks under his feet and though he gets a shot away, it’s a weak dribble towards the bottom left, and easy for Dubravka.

Updated at 16.50 EDT5d ago16.42 EDT82 min: Just as he did twice at Newcastle, Gravenberch dithers on the edge of the opposition area and loses the ball. Spurs counter through Marmoush, who nearly tears clear down the left, only for Jacquet to stride across and ease him off the ball. That’s wonderful last-ditch defending.

5d ago16.41 EDT81 min: Jacquet Hansens his way out from the back before pinging an elegant long pass down the middle for Szoboszlai, who can’t quite get the better of Senesi. A better touch and he was clean through.

5d ago16.39 EDT79 min: Robertson wins a corner down the left. Nothing comes of it, but what a story it would be if the former Liverpool left-back was involved in a big Tottenham comeback. For the first time tonight, the Anfield atmosphere is jittery.

5d ago16.38 EDT77 min: Spurs have enjoyed 61 percent of possession in the last 15 minutes. Since Liverpool’s first-choice midfield of Gravenberch and Szoboszlai came on, effectively. After the duel-losing fiasco of Fulham last weekend, Andoni Iraola may have some big decisions to make.

5d ago16.36 EDT76 min: Savio’s first action is to deliver the free kick into a crowded six-yard box. Mamardashvili does well this time to paw clear.

Updated at 16.53 EDT5d ago16.35 EDT75 min: Before the free kick can be taken, Spurs replace Kudus and Gallagher with Savio and Maddison.

5d ago16.34 EDT74 min: Kerkez slides in recklessly on Gallagher, who was about to zip past him down the Spurs right. Mistimed rather than aggressive, but a booking all day long.

5d ago16.31 EDT72 min: Before the corner can be taken, Ngumoha is replaced by Barcola. The set piece comes to nothing.

5d ago16.31 EDT71 min: Mamardashvili had been enjoying a good game up until that point. A couple of big saves. But that wasn’t good from the big Georgian. Liverpool respond by winning a corner down the left, thanks to some good work from Koumas.

5d ago16.29 EDTGOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Gallagher 69)Marmoush curls the corner in from the left. Mamardashvili flaps under it, missing the ball altogether, and Gallagher can’t miss with a header from a couple of yards!

Updated at 16.40 EDT5d ago16.28 EDT68 min: … so having said that, they turn up the intensity again, and Gallagher’s long-range shot is deflected over the bar, and from that corner …

5d ago16.27 EDT67 min: Spurs aren’t doing much by way of getting back into this game at the moment. It’s all gone a little bit flat. “Pass on my thanks to Euan Lawson,” writes Adam Kent Ibáñez. “I’m 38, so hopefully my emissions are okay for a few years yet - at least until Spurs win a game.”

5d ago16.25 EDT65 min: Koumas is nudged off the ball, 25 yards out, by Tosin. He wants a free kick in a dangerous position, but the referee deems his flop too theatrical. “To answer Craig Fawcett’s question: yes,” quips Andy (not that one) Flintoff. “More seriously, because I contribute to the cricket OBOs it made sense to state I wasn’t the former England cricketer, and it became a habit whenever I emailed in.”

5d ago16.24 EDT63 min: Bergvall rolls a ball infield from the left for Marmoush, who prepares to shoot from the edge of the box, only to be denied by Kerkez’s perfectly timed sliding challenge. The ball poked away from the striker’s toe. That’s a goal-saving intervention by the young left-back.

5d ago16.22 EDT62 min: … Szoboszlai and Gravenberch come on for McConnell and Nyoni. The young midfield pairing have been largely excellent tonight. Nothing comes of the corner.

5d ago16.22 EDT61 min: Marmoush goes on a power-dribble down the inside-left channel, seeing off five challenges before rolling across to Kudus, who shoots low and hard. Mamardashvili gets down well to make another fine save. Araujo smacks the loose ball out for a corner, before which …

5d ago16.19 EDT59 min: Kudus makes good down the right but his attempted cross is blocked by New Robertson Kerkez.

5d ago16.18 EDT57 min: Spurs make a double change, replacing Udogie and Bentancur with Fernandes and … Andy Robertson, who gets one hell of an ovation on his return to Anfield. Robertson keeps his gameface on, and he’ll be determined to do a job for his new club, but inside he’ll be having some feelings.

5d ago16.16 EDT56 min: Mac Allister has a chance to shoot from the edge of the D, but turns it down. It was on.

5d ago16.15 EDT55 min: Spurs respond well, pushing Liverpool back up the pitch, Tosin unleashing a low drive that fizzes wide of the left-hand post. Mamardashvili had it covered.

5d ago16.14 EDTGOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Gakpo 54)Ngumoha cuts in from the right and rolls across to Kerkez, who cushions the ball back to Mac Allister. No shot this time. Mac Allister finds Gakpo inside the box on the left. Gakpo takes a touch inside and lashes a shot across Dubravka and into the right-hand side of the net. No stopping that!

Updated at 16.19 EDT5d ago16.13 EDT53 min: Spurs get their foot on the ball for the first time in the second half. Sterile domination. But when they finally turn it over …

5d ago16.11 EDT51 min: Gakpo accidentally stands on Bentancur’s instep as the two battle for a loose ball. That’s a sore one, and it takes a moment for the Spurs midfielder to recover. But he’s up again soon enough.

5d ago16.08 EDT49 min: Koumas and McConnell have done a good job of leading the Liverpool press so far this evening. Spurs don’t look comfortable passing out from the back. Andoni Iraola will be hoping Alexander Isak is on the bench taking reams of notes.

5d ago16.06 EDT47 min: Given Gomez’s unfortunate injury record, hopefully his withdrawal is merely a matter of managing minutes. Those were his first 45 of the season. And he did take a whack on the head midway through, which won’t have helped.

5d ago16.05 EDTLiverpool get the second half started. They’ve made one change, Jacquet coming on for Gomez. A reminder that if the game ends level after 90 minutes, there will be no extra time. It’ll be straight to penalties.

5d ago15.59 EDTHalf-time postbag. “At least you can’t accuse Roberto De Zerbi of parking the bus. No. It’s no use throwing players under a parked bus” – Justin Kavanagh

“What a week for Liverpool! Ian ‘Mac the Mouth’ McCulloch and Echo & The Bunnymen are releasing a new album, and Alexis ‘Mac the Foot’ Mac Allister is scoring goals for fun at Anfield” – Peter Oh

“Re: Andy (not that one) Flintoff, I recently saw correspondence from Andy Flintoff to the paper and thought, I bet it’s not that one. Is tonight’s Andy Flintoff not that one, or not that one or that one?” – Craig Fawcett

5d ago15.54 EDTThe doctor will see you now. “Thanks for your comment about colourblind supporters on 20 minutes,” begins Euan Lawson. “The Premier League have largely sorted appalling kit clashes out, and so I wonder if it’s a Carabao Cup thing. Yes, I can confirm, as a colourblind person, that the game is almost unwatchable. Or more unwatchable than normal with any game featuring Spurs. Red-green colourblindness affects one in 12 blokes - pretty much one in every men’s football team. It’s a nonsense that Spurs aren’t in white here.

“Also a message for Adam Kent Ibáñez - it might be worth double-checking that he’s not colourblind. A lot of men get through life without realising and it can have health consequences: spotting blood in various bodily emissions can be missed and we all know those kind of things needs checking. Awareness can help. (I’m a GP.)”

5d ago15.50 EDTHALF TIME: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham HotspurMac Allister blazes the free kick over the bar, and that’s the end of an open and entertaining first half. The Argentinian scored a fine goal, both keepers have made one crucial stop, and Kudus has missed a sitter. It’s been fun.

5d ago15.49 EDT45 min +3: … but now Bentancur is booked for nudging the in-flight Gakpo from behind, just to the right of the D. With Szoboszlai on the bench, Mac Allister looks in the mood to pull rank here. He prepares to take.

5d ago15.48 EDT45 min +2: Senesi barges aggressively into McConnell, having arrived late for a 50-50. The referee, having just booked Frimpong and Marmoush for bugger all, decides a lecture is enough punishment this time.

5d ago15.45 EDT45 min: There will be two additional minutes tacked onto the end of this first half.

5d ago15.44 EDT43 min: Gomez goes long. Senesi heads back to Dubravka, who claims on the edge of his box, but only just in time, with Gakpo lurking. That was a risky ball back.

5d ago15.43 EDT41 min: Now Marmoush goes into the book for clipping McConnell a little bit late. That was a free kick, nothing more. Marmoush as deflated as Frimpong. The referee getting a bit card-happy here.

5d ago15.41 EDT40 min: Frimpong wins a battle with Tel down the Tottenham left … and is booked for nothing at all. Aurajo’s yellow card was as obvious as it gets; this one not so much, and Frimpong is understandably non-plussed.

5d ago15.40 EDT39 min: McConnell and Koumas combine down the inside-right channel, the latter cutting back for Mac Allister, six yards out. Mac Allister can’t sort his feet, the ball clanking off his shin and wide right.

5d ago15.39 EDT38 min: A Liverpool corner on the left leads to a second on the right. From that one, hit long, Koumas crosses low from the left. Had Gakpo taken a better touch, he’d have been spinning and shooting from eight yards. But there’s no better touch.

5d ago15.35 EDT34 min: Koumas nearly gets in ahead of Tosin down the left. Tosin turns the ball behind for a corner. A smart routine between Mac Allister and Kerkez leads to the former whipping into the middle. Ngumoha can’t win a header, then when the ball breaks to Nyoni, the young midfielder’s shot is blocked. There are definitely more goals in this.