Liverpool cruised into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday. The Reds were looking to build on a stuttering start to life under Andoni Iraola, which has seen some unconvincing performances and dodgy draws, but a rotated side, complete with substitute cameos from the first-team stars, was enough to see off Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors.
Alexis Mac Allister stroked home coolly to open the scoring, before Cody Gakpo lasered in a second in the second period to set the hosts on their way. Conor Gallagher made things intertesting going into the final 10 minutes, bundling home from a corner that Giorgi Mamardashvili flapped at. The Georgian goalkeeper made a blinding save to deny Omar Marmoush to keep the home side ahead late on.
Dominik Szoboszlai stepped off the bench in the lashing rain on Merseyside to put the result beyond all doubt, with the Hungary international flashing home a stunning half-volley to send Liverpool into the fourth round.
Liverpool vs Tottenham latest news
- GOAL! Szoboszlai screamer gets third
- GOAL! Gallagher halves deficit
- GOAL! Gakpo scores second
- CLOSE! Mac Allister sidefoots wide
- CLOSE! Kudus misses big chance
Key talking points
22:43 , Oli Gent
Sam Tabuteau picks out his three key takeaways from this one...
Spurs player ratings
22:19 , Oli Gent
How did Sam Tabuteau rate the Spurs players?
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Totttenham
21:54 , Oli Gent
There we have it. Spurs are out, and Liverpool are through.
Thanks for joining us, be sure to come back very soon for even more live action.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:54 , Oli Gent
90+3 mins: Well that is how you settle a game. Take a bow Dominik Szoboszlai. A thunderous half volley and Tottenham are heading out of the Carabao Cup.
Goal! Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham
21:50 , Oli Gent
90+1 mins: What a goal that is, as a Szoboszlai rocket sends the hosts into the fourth round! With four minutes added on, that should seal it!
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:49 , Oli Gent
89 mins: Close! A real chance there for Savio, as it bounces nicely for him, but he drags it wide.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:47 , Oli Gent
88 mins: Iraola has just been booked for his protestations. Not sure what for, he’s winning.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:46 , Oli Gent
87 mins: Isak is on for Koumas.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:45 , Oli Gent
86 mins: Good save! Marmoush bursts into the box and looks for the far corner, but Mamardashvili denies him!
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:44 , Oli Gent
85 mins: Solanke replaces Tel.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:43 , Oli Gent
83 mins: A real let off for Spurs, as Szoboszlai squanders a big chance, with his tame effort claimed by Dubravka.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:41 , Oli Gent
81 mins: Liverpool now looking to kill this game off with a third. Can they find it?
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:38 , Oli Gent
78 mins: Here comes the cavalry. Maddison and Savio join the party. A goal is guaranteed now. Right?
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:34 , Oli Gent
76 mins: Kerkez is booked for a foul on Gallagher.
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:31 , Oli Gent
75 mins: Ngumoha is replaced by Barcola.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:30 , Oli Gent
72 mins: A lifeline for Spurs. Gallagher, who won the corner, heads home after Mamardashvili fails to come and claim the ball. With 20 minutes to go, Spurs are right back in this.
Goal! Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham
21:29 , Oli Gent
70 mins: It’s there, and Gallagher squeezes it over the line as Mamardashvili flaps at the corner!
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:28 , Oli Gent
69 mins: Gallagher works some space and has a snatched crack from the edge of the area, but it’s over the top, via a deflection. Corner.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:27 , Oli Gent
67 mins: A quarter of this match to go. Can Spurs click into gear? They’ve had chances...
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:23 , Oli Gent
64 mins: Good challenge! Marmoush thinks he’s in as Bergvall pokes it in towards Marmoush, but the Liverpool defender steps in to get a toe to the ball. Corner.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:21 , Oli Gent
63 mins: Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are on for McConnell and Nyoni.
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:21 , Oli Gent
62 mins: Close! Marmoush turns and feeds Kudus, who looks for the snapshot, but Mamardashvili stops him!
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:20 , Oli Gent
61 mins: An hour played and what seems like a mountain to climb for Spurs. Will they actually be able to score and get the monkey off their backs?
Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:17 , Oli Gent
58 mins: Two changes for the visitors as Robertson and Fernandes replace Bentancur and Udogie.
Sam Tabuteau reports
21:17 , Oli Gent
56 mins: Gakpo haunts Spurs and surely sends Liverpool into the fourth round. That finish is exactly the reason why De Zerbi was so keen to bring him to north London. Unerring and decisive, everything Spurs have not been tonight.
Goal! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
21:13 , Oli Gent
54 mins: It’s two, it’s Gakpo. A thunderous finish, lasered into the corner from the angle. 2-0.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
21:10 , Oli Gent
51 mins: Bentancur is down in a heap after a collision with Gakpo. Nothing malicious, just a roll of the ankle.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
21:08 , Oli Gent
48 mins: A slow start to this second period as the two sides feel each other out again. Can Spurs find that opening?
Kick off!
21:05 , Oli Gent
46 mins: Back underway. Jacquet is on for Gomez.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:52 , Oli Gent
Same old story for Spurs, who have been punished for not taking their chances. There is something in this game for them but they have to show more cutting edge.
HT: Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:48 , Oli Gent
There’s the interval.
Not good for Spurs, but they are still in the game.
What will the second half have in store?
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:46 , Oli Gent
45 mins: Two added minutes.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:42 , Oli Gent
43 mins: Another yellow, this time for Marmoush, who clatters McConnell in centre-field.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:41 , Oli Gent
42 mins: Frimpong is furious with the referee after he is booked for a pull on Tel as the pair embark on a foot race down the Spurs left.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:40 , Oli Gent
40 mins: What a chance! Liverpool are so close to a second as Spurs get caught playing out from the back. McConnell and Koumas link up to set Mac Allister up with a close-range finish, but he pokes wide!
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:37 , Oli Gent
38 mins: A first booking of the match as Araujo pulls back Marmoush cynically.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:35 , Oli Gent
35 mins: De Zerbi spoke about being in the right positions to attack left wing crosses pre-match and Kudus got his run spot on there. The finish, though, was not good enough and another big chance goes begging for Spurs.
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:33 , Oli Gent
33 mins: Big chance! Good break from Spurs as Marmoush leads it, feeding Udogie. He gets it back and here comes Bergvall, feeding the overlapping left-back. He looks for the drilled cross, and Kudus turns it over from close range!
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:31 , Oli Gent
31 mins: Past the half-hour mark. Spurs are behind, again. How do they respond?
Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:27 , Oli Gent
27 mins: Nice idea from Senesi, as Udogie bursts forward from left-back to try and get in behind. The Argentine clips one over the top for the Italian, but he makes a mess of the chest control. Had he brought it down, he’d have been in!
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:23 , Oli Gent
24 mins: Suckerpunch for Tottenham as Mac Allister fires home emphatically. The break of the ball is kind to the Argentine, but the finish is sublime. Spurs, as they have been so often this season, have started brightly but not been able to capitalise.
Goal! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham
20:22 , Oli Gent
22 mins: There’s the opener from Mac Allister. Arrowed into the top corner, but not before Ngumoha’s moment of magic, weaving in and out of challenges and showing twinkle toes in the box. It breaks kindly for the Argentine, who slots home.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:21 , Oli Gent
21 mins: Kudus has been sharp on the right in these opening exchanges. He’s eager to run at Kerkez, and he’s been energetic in the press as well.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:16 , Oli Gent
17 mins: Good save! Koumas has the hosts’ first chance, as Ngumoha bursts infield and sets an inch-perfect ball in behind for the young striker. He goes for goal, but Dubravka smothers him.
Sam Tabuteau reports
20:14 , Oli Gent
14 mins: Tottenham surely have to score as Bergvall is found free in the area from Udogie's cross. An excellent save from Mamardashvili, but Bergvall has to finish from that position. Spurs on top so far, but we have seen this script before.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:12 , Oli Gent
12 mins: Great save! Bergvall has the first sighting of goal, and Mamardashvili is called into action. Udogie gets it across, the Swede swipes it at goal, and the keeper stops him!
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:08 , Oli Gent
9 mins: Kudus swings it in, and Nyoni nods clear.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:08 , Oli Gent
8 mins: The rain is falling at Anfield as Gray looks for options from the throw. He’s got the armband at right-back, with Tosin on the right and Senesi on the left of the defence. A first Spurs corner here, which is fortuitously won.
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:06 , Oli Gent
6 mins: For Spurs, it’s as expected in the final third. Tel on the left, Marmoush leading the line, and Kudus to the right. How will they link up?
Liverpool 0-0 Tottenham
20:03 , Oli Gent
3 mins: Tactically, it’s Koumas up top for the hosts, with Gakpo on the left. Nyoni and McConnell are the pivot, with Mac Allister slightly more advanced.
Kick off!
20:02 , Oli Gent
1 min: We’re underway.
Five minute warning
19:55 , Oli Gent
The players are out, and we’re about to get underway.
10 minutes to kick off
19:50 , Oli Gent
Who will win this one?
15 minutes to go
19:45 , Oli Gent
Here are the two teams once more for those that missed them:
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Aruajo, Gomez, Kerkez, McConnell, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Gakpo, Koumas, Ngumoha
Tottenham XI: Dubravka; Gray, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Tel, Marmoush
Ex-Spurs star set for big move
19:41 , Oli Gent
Former Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma is set to join Ajax.
The Mali international, who is a free agent after his Spurs contract expired in the summer, has agreed a one-year deal with the Eredivisie giants, according to Dutch outlet Telegraaf.
Robbo's return
19:35 , Oli Gent
Andy Robertson is on the bench tonight, but returns to his old haunts this evening.
What sort of reception will he get should he get on?
Creative spark
19:30 , Oli Gent
Jan Paul van Hecke topped the Premier League with passes into the final third last weekend.
The Dutchman is not playing for Spurs tonight, so will either Senesi or Tosin step up and look to play those line-splitting balls?
Jan Paul van Hecke also topped the charts for the most final third passes and passes into the final third. 🦵 https://t.co/VryQjScTIk pic.twitter.com/lbjsDHxGyE
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 15, 2026
De Zerbi pre-match
19:23 , Oli Gent
The Spurs head coach wants to see his side score some goals this evening. Something they’ve not done at all in the Premier League yet...
"I would like to see the goals!"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026
Roberto De Zerbi ahead of Spurs clash with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup 🙌 pic.twitter.com/uSjCJcnAfJ
Why can't Spurs score?
19:18 , Oli Gent
Conor Coady tried to answer that question on Sky Sports...
"De Zerbi is a top manager, that team is stronger than Liverpool's tonight"
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026
Conor Coady discuss Spurs' lack of goals and their form this season ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/j5FZamy6Xb
Also tonight
19:11 , Oli Gent
Arsenal travel to Ipswich with a much-changed XI...
Arrivals!
19:02 , Oli Gent
The Spurs players grace the Anfield turf...
Checking in at Anfield 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/xSMmbOM21o
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 15, 2026
Liverpool XI analysed...
18:58 , Oli Gent
Plenty of changes from Iraola.
The young stars get a chance, as he hinted, with four in the starting XI.
James McConnell is in the engine room with the experienced Alexis Mac Allister, while Trey Nyoni joins them, but he could be more advanced as a No10.
Cody Gakpo could be the focal point up top, with Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha flanking him.
A full rest for Virgil van Djik, while Jeremy Jacquet is among the substitutes.
Sam Tabuteau reports
18:55 , Oli Gent
Eight changes and a first start in eight months for Mohammed Kudus. It’s all change at the back for Spurs, with Tosin in for his full debut. Marmoush, meanwhile, leads the line at Anfield.
Tottenham lineup
18:51 , Oli Gent
Tottenham XI: Dubravka; Gray, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie; Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher; Kudus, Tel, Marmoush
Subs: Kinsky, Robertson, Van Hecke, Maddison, Savio, Fernandes, Solanke, Van de Ven, Davies
Liverpool lineup
18:51 , Oli Gent
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Aruajo, Gomez, Kerkez, McConnell, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Gakpo, Koumas, Ngumoha
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Szoboszlai, Isak, Munoz, Barcola, Gravenberch, Chambers
Time for teams!
18:40 , Oli Gent
Lineups dropping in five...
Two things De Zerbi must do to avoid tough Spurs questions
18:35 , Oli Gent
When Roberto De Zerbi first arrived in England, he took the Premier League by storm with his unflinching personality and uncompromising style of play, Sam Tabuteau writes.
His Brighton team was intoxicating. They drew opponents in, then sprang into attack, often scoring in the blink of an eye as they streamed up the pitch before releasing a torrent of pace in behind.
Ready to start!
18:30 , Oli Gent
Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that Mohammed Kudus is ready to start his first game in eight months tonight.
Kudus has been eased back to fitness after missing the second half of last season with a serious quad injury.
Richarlison's snub reaction
18:22 , Oli Gent
Richarlison reacted on social media after seeing hopes of a potential Tottenham recall dashed by Roberto De Zerbi.
The Brazilian is in a state of limbo after seeing a move back home to Vasco De Gama collapse after failing to agree personal terms. That came after similar issues with Everton and Turkish club Trabzonspor.
De Zerbi's dinner date
18:15 , Oli Gent
Roberto De Zerbi took his Tottenham players out for dinner last week at the same swanky Mayfair restaurant they visited last season in their bid for Premier League survival.
De Zerbi and his squad went for a morale-boosting dinner at the Mediterranean restaurant Bacchanalia late last season as the Spurs boss sought to rebuild morale soon after joining the club.
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Is Kulusevski fit?
18:10 , Oli Gent
While Spurs fans are desperate to see their Swedish winger back, De Zerbi insisted that the former Juventus man was still not ready for his long-awaited return.
“No, Kulusevski not available,” the Italian said bluntly on Monday.
The playmaker is still coming back from his serious kneecap injury that kept him out for the entirety of last season, but sightings of him back on the training pitch have raised fans’ hopes of a comeback sometime soon.
Where is Richarlison?
18:05 , Oli Gent
Richarlison will continue to be left out in the cold despite being eligible for selection in the Carabao Cup.
The Brazilian striker repeatedly expressed his desire to leave Spurs this summer and was subsequently left out of the club’s Premier League squad.
Richarlison and Spurs tried to facilitate an exit during the closing days of the transfer window, but a move failed to materialise, leaving the former Everton hitman in limbo.
Standard Sport prediction
18:00 , Oli Gent
This is an interesting one to call, and could come down to how heavily Iraola rotates.
Spurs are far more watertight at the back, but are still liable to conceding goals. Should the Reds line up with a near-full strength front three, it could be a long night for the visitors.
The north Londoners, by hook or by crook, need to find some goals.
Liverpool to win, 2-0.
Tottenham team news
17:55 , Oli Gent
Tottenham will be without Sandro Tonali and Pedro Porro for tonight’s trip to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, while outcast Richarlison remains frozen out after failing to secure a move away from the club.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed that Tonali had picked up a minor knock following the draw with Everton, while Porro is continuing to struggle with a muscular issue that saw him miss out at the weekend.
The Spurs boss did, however, reveal that Destiny Udogie was back after being left out of the squad against Everton as a precaution.
Liverpool team news: Youngsters to get a chance?
17:52 , Oli Gent
That won’t be the only change to the Reds’ lineup with Iraola hinting that “we will see tomorrow players we haven't seen”.
That could be good news for Wataru Endo. The Japanese midfielder is yet to make it onto the pitch this season but has been an unused substitute.
Rio Ngumoha looks a likely starter after he came on during the second half against Fulham, while fellow youngsters Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas could both make their first starts of the campaign following recent sub roles.
Liverpool team news
17:45 , Oli Gent
Joe Gomez is ready to make his return from injury for the hosts tonight.
The England international defender is yet to play this season due to a muscle strain picked up during pre-season, but Andoni Iraola has confirmed the defender would be available for the third-round tie at Anfield.
Speaking on Monday, the Reds’ boss said: “Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play.”
The Spaniard also revealed that Giorgi Mamardashvili would start in goal, replacing Alisson Becker.
How to watch
17:37 , Oli Gent
TV channel: This match will be broadcast live on free-to-air, terrestrial TV on ITV4. Sky Sports will also show the game on its Main Event and Football channels.
Coverage on Sky will begin at 7pm BST, with ITV commencing at 7.30pm. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 8pm.
Live stream: Sky subscribers can stream the game live on the Sky Go app and website.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent
... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s trip to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round.
A big test for both sides, who have struggled to really get going this term after summers of change.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm BST.
