Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to the season took another painful turn at Anfield as Liverpool knocked Roberto De Zerbi’s side out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 victory.
Spurs arrived knowing the League Cup represented an important opportunity to build momentum, but despite creating several promising chances, they were ultimately punished for failing to make them count.
Liverpool gradually took control through Alexis Mac Allister, before Cody Gakpo added a second to put the Reds firmly in the driving seat. Tottenham refused to disappear, though, and Conor Gallagher gave the visitors renewed hope when he rose to head home in the closing stages.
With Spurs pushing desperately for an equaliser, Liverpool delivered the final blow. Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai produced a stunning long-range strike in the dying seconds, leaving Martin Dubravka helpless and sealing a 3-1 win for the hosts.
Ironically, Tottenham could look back at several missed opportunities. Lucas Bergvall had a golden chance in the first half, only for Giorgi Mamardashvili to produce an excellent save to deny him.
That missed opportunity proved costly as Spurs were eventually made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness.
The defeat means Tottenham are out of the Carabao Cup at the third-round stage, leaving De Zerbi with fewer opportunities to turn the club’s fortunes around. Spurs have managed just one victory so far this season — against Championship side Charlton Athletic in the previous round.
Former Spurs midfielder Michael Brown acknowledged that there were positives to take but warned that significant improvement is still required.
“Overall, the bulk of the game they were a bit too nice and a bit naive. There’s some positives but still big improvements needed from this Spurs side.”
Another cup exit, another setback for Tottenham. Can De Zerbi turn things around before the season slips away?
