Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai produced a moment of pure quality in the first minute of added time to kill off Tottenham’s late fightback and send Liverpool into the fourth round.
Coming off the bench after an earlier cameo that had been quiet, the Hungary captain controlled a pass from Cody Gakpo on his chest just outside the area and lashed a fierce, swerving half-volley from around 25-30 yards that flew past Martin Dubravka. Anfield erupted. It was the kind of strike that instantly joins the highlight reels — powerful, precise, and unstoppable.
Liverpool had led through two excellent goals of their own. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a curling finish after good work involving Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha. Gakpo then doubled the advantage nine minutes into the second half, collecting Mac Allister’s pass, cutting inside and firing home.
Tottenham, managed by Roberto De Zerbi and still searching for consistency, pulled one back in the 69th minute when Conor Gallagher headed in from a corner. The visitors pushed hard late on, with Giorgi Mamardashvili producing a superb fingertip save to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser. Szoboszlai’s intervention removed any remaining tension.
Andoni Iraola made heavy changes — ten from the previous league match — and handed opportunities to younger players including Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas. Both impressed with energy and intensity. Andy Robertson, returning to Anfield with Spurs, received a warm ovation from the home crowd.
Manager Iraola later described Szoboszlai’s finish as “a worldie” and praised the quality of all three Liverpool goals, noting that when the midfielder shapes to shoot from distance, “everyone is thinking he might score.”
The result books Liverpool’s place in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for an eighth successive season. For Tottenham it was another difficult night against top-flight opposition and extended their long wait for a win at Anfield.
Key details
- Score: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham
- Goals: Mac Allister 21′, Gakpo 54′, Gallagher 69′, Szoboszlai 90+1′
- Competition: Carabao Cup third round
- Venue: Anfield
A night of squad rotation, two high-quality finishes from Mac Allister and Gakpo, a late scare, and one unforgettable strike from Szoboszlai. Liverpool progress.
