Szoboszlai Stunner Sends Liverpool Past Tottenham in Carabao Cup
Liverpool are through to the Carabao Cup fourth round after a 3-1 win over Tottenham at Anfield, sealed by Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular stoppage-time strike.
Szoboszlai settles tense finish
The hosts had built a two-goal lead before Spurs created a nervy final spell, but Szoboszlai ended any prospect of a comeback with a thunderous effort from 25 yards in front of the home support.
- Alexis Mac Allister put Liverpool ahead on Tuesday night with a composed finish.
- Cody Gakpo made it 2-0 shortly after half-time following a sharp passing sequence.
- Conor Gallagher gave Tottenham hope, flicking home from a corner to reduce the deficit.
- Szoboszlai struck in added time to complete the 3-1 result.
Iraola praises Liverpool energy
Iraola was pleased with the work rate of a heavily changed Liverpool team, which made 10 alterations to its starting XI. The Basque coach acknowledged that Tottenham’s set-piece pressure became a problem after Gallagher’s goal, but said his side found the decisive response.
“I am pleased with the performance,” Iraola said. “There were different phases in the game, but overall I liked the energy. We scored, but I am happy because we are in the next round.
“At 2-0, they have to take a risk and gain territory. We were defending well, but conceding plenty of set-pieces, and when they scored it put us under pressure. Fortunately, we found a third goal and saw the game out properly.”
What happens next
Liverpool will discover their fourth-round opponents in Wednesday night’s draw, with the result offering a timely squad-depth boost after the extensive rotation at Anfield.
Iraola also highlighted Szoboszlai’s confidence in shooting positions after the midfielder’s late finish.
“With Dom, when he is about to shoot, he has the chance to score,” he said. “You believe in him because he has done it before. He is a great finisher.”
For De Zerbi and Tottenham, the defeat is a third in their first six matches of the season. Spurs now need a rapid answer to an attack that has struggled to produce enough in recent games.
