Carabao Cup Semi Final Match Report: Spurs edge out Liverpool in first leg. | OneFootball

Both teams came into this match with opposing runs of form. Liverpool have been electric, riding high on both the Premier League and Champions League, with Arne Slot looking to get to his first final as Liverpool Manager. The highly anticipated Spurs Liverpool Semi Final had fans on the edge of their seats.

Tottenham on the other hand have developed a new style of suicide soccer, they have either been incredible and dominant or terrible and humiliated with their Ange ball style with a high defensive line. The last time these two team meat was a 6-3 thriller to Liverpool.

Both managers fielded near full strength teams with the FA CUP 3rd Round coming up this weekend, and both teams facing lesser strength opposition with the winners ready to line up against Newcastle in the final.

LineupsTottenham:Postecoglou went with a 4-3-3 formation and the notable change was giving 18 years old Archie Gray a rare start in defense.

(GK) Kinsky, (D) Spence, Gray, Dragusin, Porro, (M) Lucas Bergvall, Bentancur, Bissouma (A) Son Heung-min, Solanke & Kulusekvski

Liverpool:Slot also went with a near full strength team opting for the usual 4-2-3-1 formation. He did however decide to start Conor Bradley at right back and bench Trent Alexander-Arnold. Trent was criticized for a poor performance against Manchester United last Sunday with it looking strongly like he will leave to join Real Madrid, so it was a great chance for Bradley to make his claim to be a regular starter.

(GK) Allison, (D) Tsimikas, Van Dijk, Quansah, Bradley (M) Mac Allister, Gravenberch (AM) Gakpo, Jones, Salah (A)Diogo JotaMatch ReportBoth teams started slowly and then the match was held up for nearly 10 minutes as Rodrigo Bentancur had to receive medical attention, he was replaced by Brennan Jonson. Bentancur was taken to hospital and we understand was conscious and talking, we wish him well. The remainder of the half was a slow and non eventful affair with 11 munites of extra time and Jarrell Quansah coming off for Water Endo for Liverpool. Both teams had only one shot on goal.

After 60 minutes Slott had seen enough and decided to make a whole sale change with three substitutes bringing on Diaz, Trent & Nunez for Gapko, Bradley & Jota.Liverpool looked more assertive and pushed forward, however Spurs found more space and encouragement to counter attack.

On 70 minutes Trent had a fantastic strike saved off the line by Dragusin who clearly looks like he wants to silence his recent critics.After this Ange Postegoglou played his hand and subbed on Timo Werner for Son Hueng-min who recently extending his contract by one year.

On 75 minutes Dominic Solanke had the ball in the back of the net only for VAR to rule out for offside. Liverpool were playing a very high line and you could see Spurs were looking to play long balls over the top. This was one of the few exciting moments.

Slot reacted by bringing on Konate for Mac Allister looking to kill the first leg off.

The tie finally became interesting to watch with end to end action and on the 85 minute Bergvall scored a great counter attacking goal as Solanke held of Konate, slotted in the ball to the middle of the box and the 18 year old took the lead for his first spurs goal.

The referee had to issue Arne Slot a yellow card as he was moaning that there should have been a second yellow card for Lucas Bergvall.

I am sure Ange was enjoying the boot being on the other foot not being the one to complain about refereeing decisions.

The ending of the match felt like there would not be second leg as both teams came to life with end to end desperation ensuing.

Spurs won, Ange will finally get a good nights sleep, Liverpool will be waiting for them back at Anfield for the second leg and I am reminded why I love cup soccer.