Tottenham Hotspur faced off against Liverpool on January 8, 2025, for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This high-stakes match saw both teams level at 0-0 at half-time, with significant injuries impacting the flow of the game.
Liverpool are the reigning champions of the competition, having secured their tenth League Cup title last season by defeating Chelsea at Wembley, with Virgil van Dijk scoring the winning goal. This year, they have dominated the Premier League, currently leading the table under manager Arne Slot. Conversely, Tottenham have seen their fortunes wane, suffering through multiple injuries and struggling for confidence among players.
Both teams made important tactical decisions heading to the match. Slot made the surprising choice to bench Trent Alexander-Arnold due to fatigue, allowing Conor Bradley to take his place. He justified the move by stating, "It mostly has to do with Trent playing so many minutes... Now it’s a good thing we have Conor back as he needs minutes." Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou fielded new signing Antonin Kinsky, calling him someone "we’ve tracked all season" and who adds depth to their squad amid their goalkeeper crisis.
The game began at a brisk pace, with Tottenham generating the first real chance when Heung-min Son slipped Dominic Solanke through, but the forward slid his effort just wide. Liverpool quickly responded, with Cody Gakpo's shot being denied by Kinsky. Fans anticipated thrills, especially following the chaotic 6-3 Premier League clash just weeks prior, but both clubs struggled offensively during this tense tie.
Regrettably, injuries marred the match almost immediately. Rodrigo Bentancur of Tottenham suffered what appeared to be a serious neck injury following a heavy fall following his attempt to score from a corner kick. After eight minutes of treatment on the pitch, he was stretchered off, prompting his early substitution by Brennan Johnson. Tottenham faced additional player concerns, with reports of Jarell Quansah being unable to continue after also needing treatment, which required Wataru Endo to step onto the field.
The lengthy stoppages heavily influenced the game's rhythm, resulting in eleven minutes of injury time at the end of the first half. Despite the physical matchup, goal-scoring opportunities remained scarce. Tottenham showed territorial dominance but failed to convert their chances, with Son being particularly instrumental yet unable to find the net.
Liverpool's attacks were also sporadic, with Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota failing to hit the target on several attempts. Both managers expressed frustration at their respective squads' inability to capitalize on chances, with Postecoglou hoping for his side to reestablish their attacking flow as the match progressed.
Commentators highlighted the physical nature of the contest, remarking on the impact of injuries to both squads and the hesitance shown by players to commit fully to challenges. Liverpool's van Dijk was observed rallying his teammates, attempting to maintain focus after the alarming occurrences on the pitch.
Going toward the halfway mark, Slot emphasized, "I think what we expect before we go to the game is two teams showing their playing style." Yet, this clash, ensnared by injuries and missed opportunities, left fans eager for developments after the break.
With Spurs sitting at zero wins out of their last four fixtures, this was supposed to be their opportunity to turn their season around by competing effectively against one of Europe's most formidable teams. The match continued with tensions high, and players remained desperate to shift the balance.
The stakes are clear: Tottenham have not won silverware since 2008, making this competition particularly significant for the club. Meanwhile, Liverpool looks to assert dominance, demonstrating they are well-prepared to defend their title. Both teams will now look toward the second leg at Anfield, where the opportunity for redemption and progress looms large, with fans anticipating high drama.