Liverpool secured their place in the League Cup final with a stunning 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, overturning a first-leg deficit and amplifying the pressure on Spurs' manager, Ange Postecoglou. The match, held at Anfield, showcased impressive performances from Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk, all of whom contributed to the rout. This win sets the stage for Liverpool's Wembley showdown against Newcastle on March 16, marking their first opportunity for silverware this season.
The Reds, currently enjoying a strong campaign under manager Arne Slot, sit six points clear at the top of the Premier League. They have also progressed to the Champions League round of 16 and are gearing up to face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round. On the contrary, Tottenham's trophy drought extends to 16 years, with Postecoglou under increasing scrutiny. Reports are circulating about the possibility of his dismissal should Spurs falter again, especially with their next FA Cup tie against Aston Villa looming.
Despite the League Cup's somewhat lesser prestige, Slot opted for strength on the pitch, rotating only goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for Alisson Becker. Tottenham, meanwhile, fielded a decimated squad missing several key players and handed debuts to Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel. The game kicked off energetically, with Gakpo finding the net first after receiving Salah's deft cross. Salah extended the lead with a penalty early in the second half, marking his 26th goal this season. Szoboszlai capped the victory with another goal before Van Dijk headed home from a corner, sealing Spurs' fate.
Newcastle, fresh off eliminating Arsenal with a 4-0 aggregate victory, will also be aiming to break their own 56-year wait for major silverware against Liverpool at Wembley. Manager Howe commented on the upcoming challenges his team faces, especially with their FA Cup fourth-round match against League One Birmingham City. Reflecting on the fixture, he noted, “It’s a great game lined up. Liverpool did what they usually do at Anfield – it was a really good performance from them.”
Howe emphasized the necessity of focusing solely on Birmingham, stating, “We have to park it. The biggest challenge is to eradicate it from our brains for a matter of time.” He acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining peak energy levels after exerting themselves against top-tier teams. “We need to focus on every step before the final,” he added. This mental focus and recovery will be pivotal as Newcastle looks to integrate players returning from injury.
Callum Wilson made his return during the Carabao Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, and Howe confirmed the striker’s readiness for the upcoming matches. “Callum is very confident about his body at this moment,” Howe said of Wilson's progress. “He’s gone through several things differently this time around in his recovery.” Alongside Wilson, Howe hinted at possibly including England goalkeeper Nick Pope, who is also fit for selection. “Nick has shown from his training, you can see he’s motivated,” Howe noted, highlighting Pope’s eagerness to prove his worth following his injury absence.
The Newcastle manager reflected on the squad’s performance and strategizing around the winter transfer market. “No part of us wanted to lose Kieran [Trippier]. He’s had a difficult season, but to then perform at such high levels is not easy,” Howe remarked. The competition within the squad remains fierce, something he acknowledges as beneficial for performance standards.
Liverpool’s emphatic victory against Tottenham not only propels them toward the League Cup final but is also indicative of their ambitions for the season. With high stakes against Newcastle, the encounter will be more than just another match; it’s about legacy and the quest for titles. For Newcastle, their FA Cup bout against Birmingham City and subsequent engagement with Liverpool will serve as real tests of character and ambition.
With the season’s silverware up for grabs, both Liverpool and Newcastle are poised to battle on multiple fronts. They approach the upcoming fixtures with varying degrees of optimism, but one thing is for certain: the road to glory is paved by the challenges they face along the way. Speculation surrounds Postecoglou if Tottenham’s fortunes do not improve, whereas Liverpool, buoyed by their recent performances, are confident of their path to victory.