Liverpool Gain Advantage as Tottenham Lose Two Key Players for League Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Liverpool have been handed an early boost ahead of their League Cup semi-final first leg, with Tottenham missing two crucial players due to suspension.
Tottenham’s Dramatic Quarter-Final Victory
Spurs secured their place in the semi-finals with a thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham surged to a 3-0 lead, starting with Dominic Solanke’s opener in the 15th minute after Pedro Porro’s powerful effort was parried.
Dejan Kulusevski added a second with a composed finish early in the second half, followed by Solanke’s second goal shortly after.
Manchester United mounted a spirited comeback, capitalizing on two errors by Spurs goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
Bruno Fernandes assisted Joshua Zirzee for a simple tap-in, while Amad Diallo punished a poor pass to make it 3-2.
Tottenham captain Heung-min Son restored a two-goal cushion with a stunning corner kick goal in the 88th minute, though Jonny Evans’ late header kept United’s hopes alive briefly. Spurs held on to secure their spot in the final four.
Midfield Woes for Tottenham
Tottenham’s semi-final preparations have been disrupted by the suspensions of James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr, both of whom received their second yellow cards of the competition in the quarter-final.
The one-match bans leave manager Ange Postecoglou with a significant challenge in reshaping his midfield for the first-leg clash against Liverpool.
Liverpool’s Path to the Semi-Finals
Liverpool advanced to the semi-finals with a gritty 2-1 victory over Southampton. Under manager Arne Slot, the Reds struck early through Darwin Núñez, who converted a superb setup by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Harvey Elliott doubled the lead before Southampton pulled one back in the second half. Liverpool’s youthful squad held on to secure their place in the last four.
Enjoying a stellar season under Slot, Liverpool sit atop the Premier League and Champions League standings, adding to the excitement surrounding their League Cup campaign.
A High-Stakes Semi-Final Showdown
The semi-final clash between Liverpool and Tottenham promises to be a thrilling encounter. With a place in the final on the line, both sides will need to deliver standout performances in what is shaping up to be an intense and captivating tie.
