Spurs do score but Szoboszlai stunner seals cup tie for Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning strike sealed a 3-1 win over Liverpool over Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo put the Reds in control before the hour but Conor Gallagher pulled one back for Roberto De Zerbi’s team and it took a sensational fingertip save from Giorgi Mamardashvili to deny Omar Marmoush an equaliser.

There was no stopping Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time effort, however, arrowed beyond Martin Dubravka. Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool progress while the Spurs supporters have to be content with bagging their first goal of the campaign against top-flight opposition.

Lucas Bergvall really should have slotted Spurs in front early in the game but his close-range shot found the legs of Mamardashvili instead. And Liverpool punished them for that wastefulness when Mac Allister curled the ball high into the net for the opener.

Mohammed Kudus contrived to volley high and wide after smart work by Destiny Udogie before half-time. Liverpool were just more clinical, summed up by the manner in which Gakpo slammed in a second in front of the Kop to cap an excellent Liverpool move.

The Dutchman was a target for Tottenham in the summer. He currently has more Premier League goals than this season than they do. Out of the Carabao Cup and with Richarlison out of the squad, De Zerbi’s only consolation was a spirited effort at Anfield.

For Andoni Iraola, he will be encouraged by the energy and the quality in evidence. Intensity appeared to be an issue against Fulham on Saturday but the 10 changes actually helped with Lewis Koumas eager and Trey Nyoni producing a mature display in midfield.

And when Szoboszlai can do that, it makes everything easier.

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