Liverpool booked their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with an impressive 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, with Andoni Iraola’s much-changed side showing that there is plenty of quality beyond his regular starting XI.
With Liverpool playing their third game in seven days, Iraola made 10 changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Fulham, giving several younger players an opportunity to impress.
Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Araújo, Gomez, Kerkez, McConnell, Nyoni, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Ngumoha, Koumas.
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Szoboszlai, Isak, Muñoz, Barcola, Gravenberch, Chambers.
It was a bold selection from Iraola, but the Liverpool manager clearly wanted to protect some of his key players while still taking the competition seriously.
And the changes certainly didn’t stop Liverpool from producing an entertaining performance.
Mac Allister breaks the deadlock
Liverpool took the lead in the 21st minute through Alexis Mac Allister, who produced a superb finish to give the Reds a deserved advantage.
The Argentine’s experience was particularly important in a side containing several youngsters, and he helped provide the composure Liverpool needed in midfield.
Tottenham had their moments, particularly early on, but Liverpool grew into the game and began to look increasingly dangerous.
Gakpo doubles the lead
Liverpool continued to threaten after the interval and eventually doubled their advantage through Cody Gakpo.
It was exactly the sort of contribution Iraola would have wanted from one of his more experienced attackers, and suddenly Liverpool were firmly in control at 2-0.
The performance of the younger players was also encouraging.
James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas were all handed starts, while Joe Gomez returned to the starting XI after his injury lay-off.
Koumas in particular showed plenty of promise, while Nyoni and McConnell gave Liverpool energy in midfield.
Spurs give Liverpool a scare
Tottenham weren’t finished, though, and Conor Gallagher pulled one back to make it 2-1.
There was some frustration surrounding the goal after a mistake from Giorgi Mamardashvili, who otherwise produced some important saves during the match.
Suddenly Liverpool had a job to do.
Iraola could then turn to the experience sitting on his bench, with players including Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Ryan Gravenberch available if required.
Szoboszlai produces the moment of the night
With Tottenham pushing for an equaliser, Liverpool finally put the game beyond doubt in spectacular fashion.
Dominik Szoboszlai smashed home a stunning long-range strike in stoppage time, sending Anfield into celebration and sealing Liverpool’s passage into the fourth round.
It was a brilliant way to finish the night.
Another step forward for Iraola’s Liverpool
For me, this was exactly what you want from a Carabao Cup performance.
Iraola made wholesale changes, rested several key players and still put out a team capable of beating a Premier League opponent.
More importantly, several of the younger players got valuable minutes without Liverpool sacrificing the result.
There were certainly things to improve — particularly the goal conceded — but Liverpool ultimately deserved their 3-1 victory.
The Carabao Cup may not be the biggest competition Liverpool will compete for this season, but if Iraola can use it to develop players such as Nyoni, McConnell, Ngumoha and Koumas while also giving minutes to returning players like Gomez, then it can become a very useful part of the campaign.
And after this result, Liverpool are safely through to the fourth round.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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