Alexis Mac Allister gave the Reds the lead before Cody Gakpo doubled the advantage shortly after half-time. Conor Gallagher pulled one back to make things interesting again, but substitute Dominik Szoboszlai settled the tie in stoppage time.
Iraola changes almost the entire team
As is often the case in the League Cup, Iraola used the fixture to make wholesale changes. Compared with the disappointing 0-0 draw against Fulham at the weekend, the Liverpool manager replaced ten players. Ronald Araújo was the only man to retain his place in the starting XI. Joe Gomez made his first appearance of the season after injury, while youngsters Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas were all given opportunities in midfield and attack.
Tottenham also rotated heavily, with Roberto De Zerbi making eight changes. Even so, Spurs made by far the better start. The visitors moved the ball confidently, repeatedly found space through Destiny Udogie on the left and caused Liverpool’s unfamiliar line-up particular problems when attacking at speed.
Lucas Bergvall should have put Tottenham ahead early on but was denied from close range by Giorgi Mamardashvili. Soon afterwards, Spurs broke with four players against two Liverpool defenders following a home set-piece. Udogie delivered sharply from the left, but Mohammed Kudus sent his effort over the bar from only a few metres out.
Mac Allister punishes Tottenham’s wastefulness
After around 15 minutes, Liverpool began to settle into the contest. The Reds adjusted to Gallagher’s movement between the lines and Kudus’ runs, became more aggressive in their pressing and started to find space of their own behind Tottenham’s midfield.
Koumas worked hard through the middle and repeatedly offered runs in behind. After an excellent pass from Ngumoha, the 20-year-old found himself through on Martin Dúbravka, who initially kept Spurs level with a strong save.
The goalkeeper was beaten in the 21st minute. Gomez started the move with a long ball towards Gakpo, who switched play to the right. Ngumoha drove forward, Udogie attempted to intervene but inadvertently diverted the ball into Mac Allister’s path. The Argentine met it on the edge of the area and fired powerfully into the top corner.
Mac Allister in particular gave Liverpool’s young side the composure it needed. Beyond his goal, he was repeatedly involved in their most important attacking moves and also contributed reliably without the ball. Nyoni, meanwhile, impressed with his security in possession and helped Liverpool play their way out of Tottenham’s early pressure.
Gakpo adds a second before Gallagher gives Spurs hope
Liverpool remained the more purposeful side immediately after the break. The second goal arrived in the 54th minute following another flowing move. McConnell and Ngumoha were involved in the build-up, Kerkez found Mac Allister centrally and the midfielder played first time into Gakpo. The Dutchman shifted the ball away from Archie Gray before finishing low into the far corner.
De Zerbi responded soon afterwards by introducing Mateus Fernandes and former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson. The latter received a warm reception on his return to Anfield. The substitutions gave Tottenham fresh momentum and the visitors began to apply more pressure again.
Their reward came in the 69th minute. Mateus Fernandes delivered a corner into the box and Mamardashvili failed to make contact as he attempted to punch clear. At the far side of the six-yard box, Frimpong had lost track of Gallagher, who headed home from close range to make it 2-1.
Mamardashvili made amends shortly afterwards. Omar Marmoush found space in a dangerous position and saw his slightly deflected effort brilliantly kept out by the Liverpool goalkeeper. Despite his mistake for the goal, the Georgian played an important role in preventing Tottenham from drawing level.
Tottenham throw everything forward – Szoboszlai seals it
Spurs increased the risk in the closing stages, introducing James Maddison, Sávio and later Dominic Solanke. Liverpool were forced to defend much deeper and struggled to put together prolonged spells of possession.
The two-goal margin at the final whistle therefore did not entirely reflect the balance of chances. Tottenham finished with 56 per cent possession, 17 attempts and 2.30 xG, while Liverpool recorded 12 shots and 1.53 xG. The visitors created enough opportunities to score more than Gallagher’s lone goal.
Bergvall and Kudus had already wasted major chances early on, while Mamardashvili later denied Marmoush what could have been the equaliser. Liverpool, by contrast, were far more ruthless at the decisive moments. Mac Allister and Gakpo took their opportunities, while Iraola’s youthful side managed to remain resilient even during Tottenham’s strongest spell.
Szoboszlai removed any lingering doubt in stoppage time. Gakpo delicately laid the ball into the substitute’s path, the Hungarian controlled it in front of his body and then unleashed a powerful strike from around 25 metres. The 91st-minute goal provided a spectacular finish to a match in which Liverpool made far better use of their chances.
Liverpool’s rotation pays off as Tottenham bow out
For Liverpool, the victory means more than simply a place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Iraola was able to rest almost his entire first-choice team while several fringe and academy players gave him encouraging options for the weeks ahead. For Nyoni, McConnell, Ngumoha and Koumas in particular, the tie represented an important opportunity to prove themselves at a higher level.
Tottenham, meanwhile, exit the competition despite producing a respectable performance for long periods. Spurs created enough chances to keep the contest completely open until the closing stages, but their finishing let them down. Given their clear advantage in chance quality, De Zerbi is likely to be far less satisfied with the result than with many aspects of the performance.
Both sides now return to Premier League action. Tottenham host Aston Villa on Saturday, while Liverpool travel to AFC Bournemouth a day later and will be looking to return to winning ways in the league after three draws in their opening four matches.
