Liverpool beat Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final opener

Keep news

Liverpool made four changes for the contest, with Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah coming into defence.

In attack, meanwhile, Diogo Jota returned to lead the Reds’ front line in the capital for his first start since October.

Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Mac Allister (Konate, 80), Salah, Jones, Gakpo (Diaz, 60), Jota (Nunez, 60), Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Quansah (Endo, 30), Bradley (Alexander-Arnold, 60) .

Subs not used: Kelleher, Chiesa, Elliott, Robertson.

First half

It was the hosts who started the better of the two teams, pressing Liverpool high and forcing several errant passes in the final third.

The early threat resulted in the game’s opening chance, with Alisson Becker responding far down the right to keep out a Radu Dragusin effort and the defender turning a Heung-Min Son shot towards goal inside the box.

After the game, there was an extended stoppage as Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off the pitch and replaced by Brennan Johnson.

Son threatened the Liverpool defense again shortly after, stepping outside Bradley on the left to drill a low ball into the six-yard box, although team-mate Dominic Solanke could only turn away.

Liverpool returned fire at the other end and saw a Mohamed Salah effort flash past the post from distance before they were forced to make a change of their own, Quansah picking up a knock and Wataru Endo his substitute.

Alexis Mac Allister then saw a header saved from close range after a set-piece delivery from Tsimikas found his free run into the box.

Before the break, Liverpool threatened once again on a quick break through Cody Gakpo, with the striker unleashing a blistering drive on goal that almost caught goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky by surprise to close out the opener in the 45th.