Tottenham vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup: Match Preview & predictions
Tottenham vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup: Match Preview & predictions. Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur meet again but this time in a cup clash with both teams aiming to put one foot in the Carabao Cup final this Wednesday as the pair meet in the first leg of their semi-final encounter.
The Reds are the defending champions having triumphed in this competition during Jurgen Klopp’s final season on Merseyside, while Tottenham supporters are left to reminisce over their 2008 EFL Cup crown, the last time Spurs won a trophy.
Wednesday’s duel is likely to be a cracker if the pre-Christmas encounter between both sides is anything to go off. Liverpool triumphed 6-3 in north London in December in a staggeringly open affair, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah both bagging braces.
Spurs have failed to win any of their three fixtures since as injuries continue to derail their campaign. Another weakened side will be fielded against Liverpool midweek, with the Reds potentially making alterations themselves after Sunday’s gruelling draw with rivals Manchester United.
Here is how we preview one of the final-four clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.
What time does Tottenham vs Liverpool kick-off?
Location: London, England
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Date: Wednesday 8 January
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Stuart Attwell
VAR: Paul Tierney
Tottenham vs Liverpool H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Tottenham: 1 win
Liverpool: 4 wins
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (22 December 2024) – Premier League
Tottenham team news:
Not only will Spurs be without a host of first-teamers through injury, they will be without James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr due to suspension. Both have accumulated two yellow cards in previous rounds.
Tottenham’s defence is decimated for the visit of the Premier League’s top scorers, with Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie all missing. Fraser Forster was absent at the weekend due to illness, meaning new singing Antonin Kinsky could feature between the sticks.
Further forward, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are still sidelined with long-term injury problems, but Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that youngster Mikey Moore could be in the matchday squad after a lengthy spell out with illness.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs Liverpool
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke.
Liverpool team news:
Liverpool have endured a comparatively rosy season in regards to injuries, but they will be without versatile defender Joe Gomez after he pulled his hamstring in the 5-0 win over West Ham United. He will be missing until the end of January at the earliest.
Dominik Szoboszlai missed the weekend’s draw with Man Utd through illness and Arne Slot has confirmed he is a doubt for Wednesday.
“Yesterday [Monday] he wasn’t in [training] yet. If he’s in today, I would doubt if he’s available to start the game. But hopefully he’s in today. Yesterday he wasn’t,” admitted the Dutchman.
Otherwise, Liverpool have a fully-fit squad – even if Slot rotates his team. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate both returned from five weeks in the treatment room on Sunday against Man Utd, while Diogo Jota could earn a first start since his return against Spurs.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Tottenham
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Jota.
Tottenham vs Liverpool score prediction:
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set to deliver another goal-filled spectacle, as evidenced by last month’s nine-goal thriller. However, with Liverpool possibly rotating their squad after a taxing clash with Manchester United, the goals might be more evenly distributed this time.
Spurs demonstrated their attacking flair in the 6-3 defeat, mounting a spirited late response led by the brilliance of Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke. Liverpool’s potent front line is also expected to shine midweek, setting the stage for a high-paced encounter that could leave Spurs’ hopes hanging by a thread ahead of the second leg at Anfield in early February.
Prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool
