Liverpool’s Perspective
Liverpool, under the guidance of head coach Arne Slot, has been in formidable form this season. They currently sit atop the Premier League standings, showcasing a blend of attacking prowess and defensive solidity. However, the first-leg defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a rare blemish in an otherwise stellar campaign.
Anfield has been a fortress for the Reds, with the team unbeaten in their last 15 home matches across all competitions, scoring at least two goals in each of those fixtures. This impressive home form will be pivotal as they aim to overturn the deficit. Mohamed Salah remains a key figure, having been involved in nine goals in his last six appearances against Tottenham, with six goals and three assists.
In terms of team news, Liverpool will be without right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who suffered a thigh injury during their recent victory over Bournemouth. Conor Bradley is expected to fill the void in defence. Joe Gomez also remains sidelined, but the squad boasts sufficient depth to cope with these absences.
Tottenham’s Perspective
Tottenham Hotspur, managed by Ange Postecoglou, has experienced a mixed season. While their Premier League form has been inconsistent, they have found solace in cup competitions. The narrow victory in the first leg has provided a platform, but the challenge at Anfield is formidable.
The team has been plagued by injuries, with key players such as Cristian Romero, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke unavailable. Recent reports also indicate that Radu Dragusin has been ruled out for the season due to an ACL injury. On a positive note, new signings Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso are fit and could play a part in this fixture.
Historically, Anfield has not been a happy hunting ground for Spurs. They have not secured a victory there since 2011, enduring 14 matches without a win (D4 L10). However, the current one-goal advantage provides a glimmer of hope as they seek to reach their first League Cup final since the 2020-21 season.
Tactical Battle
Liverpool are expected to adopt an aggressive approach, leveraging their attacking talents to breach Tottenham’s defence early. The absence of Alexander-Arnold may influence their build-up play, but the team’s depth offers ample alternatives.
Tottenham, on the other hand, faces a tactical conundrum. While a defensive setup might seem prudent to protect their lead, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is well known for his attacking style of play. They may look to take a page out of Newcastle’s tactics book against Arsenal and soak up pressure whilst looking to find space on the counterattack.
Managerial Insights
Arne Slot has emphasized the importance of maintaining Liverpool’s attacking philosophy, stating that wearing the Liverpool shirt comes with the expectation of winning every game. He acknowledges the challenge posed by the first-leg deficit but remains confident in his team’s ability to overturn it.
Ange Postecoglou recognizes the magnitude of the occasion and the hostile environment his team will face at Anfield. He stressed the need to embrace the challenge and understands that the team’s approach may need to be adjusted to navigate the pressures of such a significant fixture.
Prediction
Given Liverpool’s formidable home record and attacking depth, they are favoured to win the match within the 90 minutes. However, Tottenham’s resilience and the psychological edge of their first-leg lead cannot be underestimated. Spurs will be looking to break up Liverpool’s attacking flow as much as possible and Yves Bissouma will be key to this. Expect him to commit tactical fouls to slow down the pressure on the Spurs goal. Backing Bissouma to have 2+ fouls in the match looks the bet of the day.