Rampant Reds reach EFL Cup final vs Newcastle

Liverpool reached their first final under Arne Slot and continued their EFL Cup defence in style by thrashing Tottenham at Anfield to set up a final against Newcastle.

In-form Cody Gakpo opened the scoring as part of a dominant display by the hosts, drilling in first time from inside the box from a diagonal Salah delivery.

Mohamed Salah lifted a fierce spot kick beyond Antonin Kinsky six minutes after half-time, capitalising ruthlessly as a result of the goalkeeper bringing down Darwin Nunez inside the box.

Gakpo levels the tie! 🔴

He becomes the top scorer in this year’s Carabao Cup 🥇 pic.twitter.com/ZA4TmXgEvz

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

Liverpool had hit the woodwork on three occasions by the time Dominik Szoboszlai, who had an early goal ruled out for offside, rolled in their 75th-minute third to complete a slick team move, with Virgil van Dijk heading a fourth from Alexis Mac Allister’s corner five minutes later.

The holders will meet the Magpies at Wembley Stadium on March 16 after Eddie Howe’s side completed a 4-0 aggregate victory at home to Arsenal on Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah converts the penalty to put Liverpool ahead in the tie! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/iWziWxsfZw

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

Liverpool thrash Tottenham to reach EFL Cup final

The scoreline may not have flattered Liverpool, but this was an absorbingly open game in which Tottenham stayed in contention until Szoboszlai struck as they took on the daunting challenge of protecting a 1-0 first-leg lead at opponents 29 points above them in the Premier League.

Tottenham were on the back foot for almost the entirety of the first half, holding out through a combination of determined defending and wastefulness from the top-flight leaders.

Even after Gakpo scored his fifth goal in this season’s competition to find the net for a seventh successive appearance at Anfield, Spurs did not look about to be turned over in the manner their fans have become wearily accustomed to during the many lows of their campaign.

Van Dijk rises highest to head home Liverpool’s fourth 💥 pic.twitter.com/vyRGYeI8XF

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

There was a sign of the trouble ahead when Kinsky tipped a Salah shot against the crossbar shortly before half-time, coming to Tottenham’s rescue with striker Richarlison, who had accused Van Dijk of elbowing him during a fiery start to the second leg, slapping the turf in frustration at picking up his latest injury at the other end.

Richarlison hobbled off to be replaced by Mathys Tel before the break, and the new loan signing may not wish to recall his first Spurs experience in a hurry.

Cody Gakpo: EFL Cup top scorer

The task of containing Mohamed Salah is always a formidable one, and the forward now has 44 goals and assists combined in all competitions this season, giving him 10 more than any other player in Europe.

It is Gakpo, though, who has shone in the EFL Cup, becoming the outright competition top scorer this season to put his side on their way.

“We are on the right track” 📈

Cody Gakpo says there is still more work to do after the win ✅ pic.twitter.com/VHVT84M7Ui

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

Gakpo almost scored a third for Liverpool when his fizzing strike from an angle was tipped against a post by Antonin Kinsky, and Ryan Gravenberch hit the other post with a low long-range drive as Tottenham’s hopes faded.

The closest they came was a venomous Heung-min Son shot against the underside of the crossbar from an angle once Liverpool had their third, but a repeat of their 2007/08 EFL Cup triumph – their last major trophy – looked a distant ambition by then.

Tottenham are next in action at Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday (5.35pm GMT). Liverpool travel to Plymouth earlier that day (3pm).