Ange Postecoglou’s side are flattened at Anfield by dominant Reds
EFL Cup semi-final second leg: Liverpool 4 Tottenham 0 celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with team-mate Conor Bradley. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Postecoglou started with Archie Gray at right-back, surprisingly omitting Pedro Porro.
It was yet another test for Gray after all of those in central defence. Postecoglou’s idea was to be compact, cautious even and for the travelling fans massed in the lower tier of the Anfield Road end there were unusual sights. When Dejan Kulusevksi and Richarlison broke just before the half-hour, it was only them against seven red shirts. Slowly but surely Liverpool turned up the heat. Their runners off the ball posed questions, especially up the channels. Their press became an increasing problem for Spurs. They dominated possession. Liverpool came to camp in the Spurs half and they had the ball in the net for what they thought was 1-0 when Salah fizzed one up the channel for Dominik Szoboszlai to sweep home, but the midfielder was offside. The breakthrough had been advertised and it came after a loose Yves Bissouma pass. The error did not happen in a vacuum. This is what Slot’s Liverpool do to you. The ball was worked wide to Salah and when he crossed with the outside of his boot and Darwin Núñez brought a dose of chaos in the centre, it ran for Gakpo. His feet were planted but he was able to summon the power. Should Antonin Kinsky have done more to keep out the shot? Possibly. The goalkeeper was a little erratic in the first 45 minutes. Kinksy got his fingertips to a Salah volley that bounced down and reared up on 44 minutes, although he still needed the top of the bar to help him out. At the other end, Richarlison had gone down with what looked like a muscle injury – yet another for Spurs. Liverpool had played on. Richarlison beat the ground in frustration and it is probably worth reporting that sympathy was in short supply from the Kop for the former Everton player. Postecoglou introduced Mathys Tel, his new outfield signing, having started his other one, the centre-half Kevin Danso. Thank heavens for Danso. Spurs’ other three specialist central defenders were injured, a part of the selection crisis that had denied Postecoglou 10 players at kick-off. That was always going to be a part of the story. Slot’s only enforced absentee was Trent Alexander-Arnold. Kinsky was in the spotlight at the start of the second half. Liverpool brought still more intensity and the goalkeeper did well to repel a Szoboszlai header from a corner. And yet moments later, when Salah played a teasing ball into the area for Núñez, it was possible to foresee the disaster. The Uruguayan was always going to be too quick, Kinsky was never going to pull out of the attempt to claim the ball. All he touched was Núñez. Salah picked out a top corner from the spot. Spurs knew that a goal for them stood to change everything. They were still technically in it. And yet it did not feel that way as Liverpool harassed them, refusing to give a moment’s peace. Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch both hit a post. A third Liverpool goal would have been curtains. Szoboszlai drew them shut. It was a lovely first-time assist from Conor Bradley after good work by the substitute Alexis Mac Allister. The finish was never in doubt. – GuardianDamien Duff warns Shelbourne players not to be ‘left behind’ as ‘ridiculous’ injuries rule some out of President’s Cup‘Just another day in the life of a s***e footballer’: Ruesha Littlejohn criticises London City Lionesses after contract terminationDonald Trump says Gaza will be ‘turned over to the US by Israel’ Shock and upset at death of couple in Kerry expressed by former colleagues of ‘brilliant, bright’ Hazel ByrneRestaurant review: This neighbourhood Indian spot has the potential to become a foodie destinationDamien Duff warns Shelbourne players not to be ‘left behind’ as ‘ridiculous’ injuries rule some out of President’s CupDCU emerge past Ulster University in extra-time to make Sigerson Cup final Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers
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