Tottenham are not the first group of players to leave the lush fields of Anfield feeling this way, nor the only ones stripped of purpose, faith, hope, and dignity. They won’t be the last if Arne Slot and his squad keep playing like this.
This was meant to be a cup semi-final hanging in the balance, a clash of strategies and styles, a true contest. Instead, it was a thorough dismantling of white by red. It was a disassembly, a stripping down, a humbling. It ended with four goals, but it could have easily been six or seven.
Tottenham simply never stood a chance – their dreams of a season-saving cup final snatched away mercilessly – as Liverpool delivered a performance nearly flawless.
Perhaps it was perfect. Is perfection attainable in sports? Maybe not. But this was as good as it needed to be, perhaps nearly as good as it can be on such a significant occasion.
Liverpool didn’t just secure their first cup final of the Slot era; they did it in classic Anfield fashion. Four goals, 26 shots, ten on target. Tottenham? They didn’t trouble Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Caoimhín Kelleher, all evening.
Ange Postecoglou’s players tried valiantly. In the first half, they played cautiously, attempting to safeguard their slender first-leg lead and keeping Liverpool at bay. They compromised their manager’s attacking principles, sat back, compressed space, and worked hard. They had done the same against Brentford recently and won 2-0. But this was a different challenge.
Mohamed Salah led Liverpool to a 4-0 triumph over Tottenham in their second-leg encounter.
The Reds will now meet Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final following their 4-1 aggregate win.
Ange Postecoglou appeared bewildered on the sidelines as his Spurs side was dismantled.
This was not Brentford but the top team in England and possibly in Europe. Thus, Tottenham’s resistance lasted merely 34 minutes, and once Cody Gakpo scored, they were finished. From that moment, Liverpool tore through them like predators. When full-time arrived, they were still hunting.
In the second half, Liverpool were simply irresistible. Their third goal – set up by Conor Bradley and finished by Dominik Szoboszlai – should be showcased in a gallery by the Albert Dock. It was a breathtaking piece of skill.
Early in the match, there was a bit of tension. Within the first ten minutes, Tottenham’s Richarlison – formerly of Everton – fell after contact from Virgil van Dijk, and although the Brazilian exaggerated, there was clear contact. The Liverpool captain was fortunate to avoid punishment.
Shortly thereafter, the two clashed again. This time, Van Dijk extended his hand as if to assist Richarlison, only to retract it as the Brazilian reached out. Quite childish behavior.
On the pitch, Liverpool were dominant. Slot had rotated some players, while Postecoglou introduced new defender Kevin Danso and left exciting teenage loan forward Mathys Tel on the bench. As it turned out, Tel entered just before halftime when Richarlison succumbed to a muscle injury, leaving the field theatrically.
Salah converted a penalty to double Liverpool’s lead on the night.
The Egyptian wore a broad smile afterward as he was embraced by Virgil van Dijk.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in a dominant showing for the hosts and title defenders.
Dominik Szoboszlai was in fine form, capping a standout performance with the third goal.
Captain Van Dijk will lead his squad back to Anfield, aiming for a live quadruple.
Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham (agg 4-1): MATCH FACTS
Liverpool: Kelleher, Robertson, Van Dijk (Quansah), Konate, Bradley, Jones (Mac Allister), Gravenberch, Gakpo (Diaz), Szoboszlai, Salah (Elliott), Nunez (Jota)
Subs not used: Jaros, Tsimikas, Endo, Chiesa
Goals: Gakpo 34′, Salah 51′, Szoboszlai 75′, Van Dijk 80′
Manager: Arne Slot
Tottenham: Kinsky, Gray, Danso, Davies (Moore), Spence, Bissouma (Porro), Bentancur, Sarr (Bergvall), Kulusevski, Richarlison (Tel), Son
Subs not used: Austin, Reguilon, Cassanova, Olusesi, Ajayi
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Liverpool didn’t overwhelm Tottenham right away. It was more of a probing than an all-out assault. Half-chances came and went, with Szoboszlai scoring but being offside. Then, ten minutes before halftime, Liverpool finally found the net.
Tottenham lost possession in midfield, Mo Salah delivered a low cross from the right, Darwin Nunez kicked and missed, but Gakpo volleyed low into the corner. It was a well-executed finish from an off-balance player, though Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky should have saved it. It was a terrible time for a mistake.
Salah hit the bar with a volley before halftime, and Tottenham remained in it, mathematically at least. But Liverpool’s start to the second half was mesmerizing and decisive.
They threatened the Spurs goal three times within the first 90 seconds, with Kinsky saving the second attempt, a header from a corner by Szoboszlai.
Then, from a penalty, Liverpool scored. Salah’s pass behind Tottenham’s central defenders was brilliant. It was inch-perfect, and as Nunez raced onto it, a penalty seemed inevitable. Kinsky promptly fouled the Liverpool striker, and Salah converted the kick high to the keeper’s right at the Kop end.
Now Spurs had to take risks. They needed to engage in the match. Postecoglou introduced two substitutes, and Spurs suddenly pressed Liverpool high up the pitch, adopting a style more in line with their manager’s philosophy.
Pressure is mounting on Postecoglou now that his team has been eliminated from the cup.
Mathys Tel made his Spurs debut on the night after coming off the bench in the first half.