Tottenham aim to defy Anfield as Liverpool seek comeback

Tottenham Hotspur stand on the brink of their first EFL Cup final since 2021, but their path is blocked by a Liverpool side that rarely falters at Anfield.

Holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, Ange Postecoglou’s side must produce a performance of resilience and precision to overcome one of the most formidable home records in English football.

Liverpool have turned Anfield into a fortress this season, winning 13 of their last 15 home matches and scoring at least twice in every game. Their dominance has been key in sustaining challenges on multiple fronts, with Arne Slot’s team still in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.

The EFL Cup may not be their priority, but history suggests they will not pass up the opportunity to extend their record 15th final appearance in the competition.

The first leg in North London exposed some of Liverpool’s vulnerabilities. Tottenham’s high press unsettled them, and Lucas Bergvall’s late winner highlighted moments of uncertainty in the visitors’ backline.

However, history is not on Spurs’ side. Their last visit to Anfield ended in dramatic fashion, with Diogo Jota striking a stoppage-time winner, and they have not won at the stadium since 2011.

If Tottenham are to reach the final, they will need to be disciplined in possession while exploiting Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses.

The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold removes one of Liverpool’s most creative outlets, and recent performances have shown that teams willing to be proactive can disrupt their rhythm.

Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham have all avoided defeat at Anfield this season by pressing aggressively and using wide areas to stretch Liverpool’s defence.

Bournemouth’s performance last weekend, despite losing 2-0, further demonstrated that high-intensity pressing can unsettle Slot’s team.

Dejan Kulusevski could be a key figure for Tottenham, particularly on the right flank where he may look to target Andy Robertson. The Scotland international struggled in his last outing against Manchester United, and Spurs will look to exploit similar weaknesses.

Richarlison’s work rate in the final third will also be crucial, with the Brazilian leading the league in pressing actions last weekend.

While Tottenham’s defensive record has come under scrutiny, they have kept four clean sheets in their last eight matches. However, Liverpool’s relentless attacking threat will provide a far sterner test than their recent opponents.

Spurs’ last two EFL Cup semi-finals have ended in defeat, and Anfield has often been an insurmountable challenge.

If Postecoglou’s side can produce the same intensity and organisation that earned them a first-leg victory, they have an opportunity to rewrite that narrative and take a decisive step towards ending their trophy drought.