Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur prepare to battle in the decisive second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final this Thursday at 20:00 GMT, with both teams knowing that a place at Wembley awaits the winner. The victorious side will meet Newcastle United in the final on Sunday, March 16, adding further stakes to an already high-pressure encounter.
The first leg saw Tottenham secure a contentious 1-0 victory at home, with Lucas Bergvall’s late strike proving decisive. The match carried an element of controversy, as the young midfielder—already on a yellow card—escaped punishment for a challenge on Kostas Tsimikas. Liverpool also had reason to feel aggrieved after Dominic Solanke’s goal was disallowed for offside, denying them what could have been a crucial equalizer. The defeat marked only the second time Arne Slot’s Liverpool had lost since his arrival, further intensifying the need for a strong response at Anfield.
Since that loss, Liverpool has maintained its impressive form across competitions. Their only other defeat came in a Champions League group-stage match against PSV Eindhoven, though they had already secured qualification as group winners. Slot’s side remains unbeaten in 19 Premier League games, continuing to set the pace at the top of the table. Mohamed Salah, the league’s leading scorer, played a pivotal role in their latest victory, netting both goals in a 2-0 win over Bournemouth. However, the team suffered a setback in that match when Trent Alexander-Arnold limped off with an injury, ruling him out of the upcoming semi-final clash.
Tottenham’s form since their first-leg victory has been inconsistent. While they secured a spot in the Europa League round of 16, their domestic campaign has been far from smooth. Ange Postecoglou’s men needed extra time to overcome non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup third round, and their league performances have been equally turbulent. Defeats to Arsenal, Everton, and Leicester City have hindered their progress, though they will take confidence from their recent away win against Brentford. The squad remains heavily affected by injuries, with key players still unavailable. Micky van de Ven, who recently returned to action in the Europa League, is unlikely to feature due to concerns about his match fitness in domestic football. On a more positive note, new loan signings Kevin Danso and Mathys Tel are both eligible to play, potentially strengthening Spurs’ options for this crucial match.
For Liverpool, reaching the EFL Cup final would reinforce their ambitions of competing on multiple fronts this season. With Slot aiming to maintain the high standards set by Jurgen Klopp, the club remains in contention for four trophies. Success in this competition would add further momentum to their pursuit of silverware across the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League. Meanwhile, for Tottenham, the EFL Cup represents one of their best opportunities to secure European football next season. Sitting in the lower half of the league table, they are still fighting in three cup competitions, all of which offer potential routes into continental tournaments. Winning the EFL Cup would earn them a place in the UEFA Conference League, while triumphing in the FA Cup would secure Europa League football. If they manage to lift the Europa League trophy this season, they would gain direct entry into next year’s Champions League.
Progressing to the final would also impact both teams’ fixture schedules. If Liverpool advances, their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, March 15, would be rescheduled to Wednesday, February 19, creating a congested fixture list. The same applies to Tottenham, whose league match at Fulham on March 16 would move to the same date should they progress to Wembley. With the stakes higher than ever, both teams will be fully aware of what’s at risk when they step onto the Anfield pitch on Thursday night.
