Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham - Carabao Cup Match Report & Player Ratings

Dom Missile Clinches a Place in Round 4

A late screamer from Dominik Szoboszlai secured a 3-1 victory for Liverpool, against Tottenham, meaning the Reds are now through to Round 4 of the Carabao Cup.

Three brilliant goals secures our spot in the fourth round 🤩 pic.twitter.com/ZUdZgQ1WV1

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 15, 2026

Liverpool took the lead through an expert finish by Alexis Mac Allister at the Anfield Road end in the first half.

Shortly after the break, they doubled their lead courtesy of Cody Gakpo, who netted his second goal of the season.

Liverpool legend Andy Robertson was subbed on for his Anfield return in the second half, to a heartwarming reception from the Liverpool faithful.

Unsurprisingly, Andy Robertson gets a great reception from the Liverpool fans on his return to Anfield 👏 pic.twitter.com/uNM6A00k5F

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026

The win looked inevitable before Tottenham grabbed one back from a corner through Conor Gallagher after a Mamardashvili error.

Luckily for the Reds, Szoboszlai saved the day, volleying in a goal at the Kop end from about 30 yards out. Another one for the extensive catalogue of long-range scorchers from the Hungarian.

A potential Puskas-worthy goal!

What. A. Hit. 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/cBwWdQEZHf

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 15, 2026

First Half

Both Andoni Iraola and Roberto De Zerbi reshuffled their Xl's coming into this game. Most notably, young Trey Nyoni got his first start of the season for Liverpool, and so too Mohammed Kudus for Tottenham.

Giorgi Mamardashvili denied Lucas Bergvall from close range in the games first chance in the 11th minute after great work down the left channel from Destiny Udogie. The Georgian's trailing feet enough to deny the young Swede to fire the away side ahead.

A lacklustre start for the Reds was quickly diminshed after Alexis Mac Allister placed a right-footed beauty from the edge of the box into the top right corner. The ball rolled into the path of the Argentine after Udogie's tackle on Ngumoha wasn't dealt with.

Pick that out!! 🇦🇷

Alexis Mac Allister hits a beauty into the roof of the net 🔴 pic.twitter.com/G7OT27CA8P

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026

The North-London side should've been on level terms just after the half-hour mark whereby Kudus blastered over from close range after more play from Udogie on the outside-left. The Italian was front and centre for everything Spurs did well in the first half.

Mac Allister then fired a dipping free-kick over the Tottenham wall from 30 yards out, which proved to be the last action of the first half.

Second Half

The only change for the restart came from the home side, who brought on Jérémy Jacquet to replace the returning Joe Gomez. Andoni Iraola took precautionary measures.

Just nine minutes later, Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool's lead, standing up Archie Gray in the penalty area before wrapping a right-footed curler into the far right side netting. Vintage Gakpo.

Ruthless!! 🔥

Cody Gakpo doubles Liverpool's lead against Spurs 🔴 pic.twitter.com/qlaaynMuwM

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026

The goal came after a good spell of possession from the home side, who progressed the ball nicely through the thirds before recirculating possession. Mac Allister found space before finding the goalscorer inside the box.

Anfield erupted into a huge round of applause a few minutes later as Andy Robertson emerged for the visitors on his emotional return to Anfield. A rare moment in football where the actuality of the match paled into significance as the Anfield faithful stopped to serenade one of their sons.

Spurs grabbed a goal back with 20 minutes remaining as a corner from Mateus Fernandes was flapped at by Mamardashvili. The ball landed in the path of Conor Gallagher, who gladly headed from point-blank range in front of the away fans.

Marmoush thought he had levelled up for Spurs, albeit for a crucial save from the Georgian goalkeeper, who tipped away the right-footed shot with a strong hand after a deflection changed the trajectory of the ball.

Then came the crowning moment of the game in the first minute of added time.

Gakpo showed great strength holding off one Spurs player before flicking it over the head of another into the path of Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian chested the ball down, allowed it to bounce once, before unleashing a ferocious volley from 30 yards out. The strike swivelled through the air, sailing past a helpless Dúbravka in goal.

THAT'S MAGNIFICENT! 💥🔴

Outrageous strike from Dominik Szoboszlai 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/meQ7nilsz6

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) September 15, 2026

Szoboszlai seems to love a goal against Spurs. In fact, it was his fourth goal in his last seven games in all competitions against the Lilywhites.

In the end, three world-class strikes were the difference makers for Liverpool under the lights at Anfield.

Man of the Match - Alexis Mac Allister (Again)

Macca was great on the night. He took his goal really well and at a crucial time. He made his presence known in the middle, dealing with some experienced opposition midfielders. Then he stepped up in the second half with an assist for Gakpo.

Alexis Mac Allister, speaking to ITV Sport: "We played against a very good team who know what to do on the ball.

"I like getting in the box and scoring, really important to score for our confidence and to win but we need to understand this is one game.

"I am feeling really good… pic.twitter.com/rvVQIxLIsg

— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) September 15, 2026

Bad Day at the Office

A few player had mixed bags but my main concern is the fact Spurs left Anfield having created 2.53 xG, after having more shots (17) than Liverpool and more penalty box action (27 touches to 22).

Liverpool (1.60) 3-1 (2.53) Tottenham

— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) September 15, 2026

Football is a game of fine margins, and this could've ended very differently. Player quality prevails I suppose.

Player Ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili - 6/10: A mixed bag for the big Georgian. On one hand, he made some very nice saves, most notably to deny Lucas Bergvall and Omar Marmoush. Crucially, however, he was at fault for the Spurs goal, flapping at a corner, landing on the head of Conor Gallagher.

Jeremie Frimpong - 6/10: Was admittedly better defensively for the large majority of the game, although a silly yellow card in the second half means he gets marked down a rating.

Ronald Araújo - 6/10: The same situation for Araújo who showed good intentions defensively and made some important blocks. The booking, like Frimpong's, marks him down, although he did well to manage the game on a yellow for another hour.

Joe Gomez - 6/10: A return to first-team action for Gomez after a muscle injury sustained at the start of pre-season. He was composed enough and got some valuable minutes in the tank before being replaced at half-time.

Milos Kerkez - 6/10: Solid for the most part, but his tendency to go to ground and be slightly overeager cost him a booking. It would be really nice to see him compose himself more.

Trey Nyoni - 7/10: The youngster passed his audition with flying colours after a bit of a nervy start. Grew into the game, and it was his work in Liverpool's half, where he won a duel against Marmoush and played the ball forward, which led to Gakpo's goal.

Alexis Mac Allister - 8/10: Another impactful display from the Argentine who contributed with a finely taken goal and an assist for Gakpo. Has his flaws regarding physicality, but it's a welcome sight to see him impacting games once again.

James McConnell - 6/10: The 22-year-old (yes I know!) didn't see copious amounts of the ball, but looked competent enough and played his role as the unorthodox No. 10 relatively well. He looked absolutely knackered when he was replaced.

Cody Gakpo - 8/10: The Dutch winger saw plenty of the ball, acting as Liverpool's primary threat down the left flank. He too, like Mac Allister, took his goal expertly and provided the assist (if you can even call it that) for Szoboszlai's thunder strike.

Rio Ngumoha - 6/10: Played a wonderfully weighted ball for a chance for Koumas early on. He was also pivotal to Macca's opener.

Lewis Koumas: 7/10: Very much loved his tenacity, off-the-ball work rate and the runs he made in behind the Spurs backline. It's obvious to see why Iraola is impressed, and I feel vindicated in thinking he was a more viable option than Chiesa this season.

Substitutes

Jérémy Jacquet - 7/10: Liverpool's most consistent performer showed once again why he is deserving of that title. A flawless individual defensive display, where all his physical traits were on show, in particular when he matched Marmoush in a footrace before out-muscling the Egyptian.

Dominik Szoboszlai - 7/10: The Hungarian continues to defy rationality with a glorious volley at the Kop end from very, very far out. It sounds cynical to say it was the only thing he did, but he offered very little control to the midfield when he came on, and then he goes and does... that.

Ryan Gravenberch - 5/10: A bit of a nothing performance who essentially looks a bit lost at the moment. Not sure what his long-term role is in the team.

Bradley Barcola - 6/10: Showed some frightening speed but wasn't involved a huge amount, mainly due to the service and the fact we don't use the right-hand side an awful lot.

Alexander Isak - N/A

Next Up for Liverpool?

An important trip to the South Coast lies on the horizon as the Reds and Andoni Iraola prepare to face a familiar foe in Bournemouth.

The Spaniard took charge of 127 matches in total for the Cherries during his three year tenure, however Sunday will be the first time he'll be aiming to take points off them.

Top 4 is up for grabs, and Liverpool must find a win before the international break.