Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean captain, Son Heung-min, will have to endure another season without a trophy as his club fell short in their quest for English Football League (EFL) Cup glory. Spurs, who had held a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg of their semifinal clash, suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool in the return fixture at Anfield on Thursday night (local time). This result saw them eliminated with a 4-1 aggregate score, dashing their hopes of lifting silverware for the first time since 2008.
Liverpool’s emphatic victory means they advance to the final, where they will have the opportunity to defend their League Cup title and claim their 11th triumph in the competition’s history. The Reds have already secured more EFL Cup titles than any other club and will now prepare to face Newcastle United in the one-match final on March 16. Newcastle secured their place in the showdown by convincingly defeating Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate.
Tottenham’s Trophy Drought Persists
For Tottenham, this latest disappointment extends a frustrating 16-year trophy drought. The North London club last lifted a major honor in 2008 when they won the League Cup, and despite reaching the final of the same competition in 2021—where they fell 1-0 to Manchester United—they have been unable to break their barren spell.
Son Heung-min, who has been with Spurs since 2015 after moving from Bayer Leverkusen, remains without a major trophy in his professional career. Despite establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers and earning the captain’s armband for both club and country, silverware continues to elude the dynamic forward. His near misses include Tottenham’s 2019 UEFA Champions League final loss to Liverpool and several domestic cup disappointments.
Liverpool’s Second-Leg Dominance Crushes Spurs’ Hopes
With a slender one-goal lead from the first leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 8, Ange Postecoglou’s side needed only a draw to secure passage to the final. However, Liverpool came out with a clear intent to overturn the deficit and controlled the game from the outset.
The hosts created several dangerous opportunities in the opening half-hour, and their persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Cody Gakpo found the net. The Dutch forward’s strike marked his fifth goal of the tournament, making him the competition’s leading scorer. Tottenham, by contrast, struggled to mount any meaningful attacks, registering just one shot attempt in the first half.
Shortly after halftime, Liverpool doubled their advantage. A defensive lapse from Spurs led to Mohamed Salah converting a penalty in the 51st minute, putting the Reds ahead 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. Tottenham’s hopes of a comeback were further dented when Dominik Szoboszlai extended Liverpool’s lead in the 75th minute with a well-taken goal, making it 3-0.
Son Heung-min came agonizingly close to pulling one back three minutes later, only to see his left-footed effort rattle the woodwork. His miss proved costly, as Liverpool continued their relentless attacking display, sealing the rout in the 80th minute when Virgil van Dijk headed in a corner to make it 4-0.
More Questions for Spurs, Liverpool Marches On
The heavy defeat raises further questions about Tottenham’s ability to deliver on the big stage. Under Postecoglou, Spurs have shown improvement in their playing style and results, but their inability to end their long trophy drought remains a glaring issue. With the EFL Cup now out of reach, their focus will shift to the Premier League and FA Cup, where they still have an opportunity to compete for silverware.
For Liverpool, this victory reaffirms their strength in domestic cup competitions. Jürgen Klopp’s men will now set their sights on retaining their League Cup crown and adding yet another trophy to their collection. Their upcoming final against Newcastle promises to be a thrilling encounter, as the Magpies seek their first major domestic trophy since 1955.
As for Son Heung-min and Tottenham, the wait for a long-overdue trophy continues.
No trophy for Sonny again as Tottenham fall in crucial stages despite eye watery stats
