Tottenham vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup: Preview, predictions and lineups

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool aim to have one foot in the Carabao Cup final this Wednesday as both meet in the first leg of their respective semi-finals.

The Reds are the defending champions who triumphed in the competition during Jurgen Klopp’s final season on Merseyside, while Tottenham fans are left to reminisce about their EFL Cup crown in 2008 – when Spurs last lifted the trophy.

Wednesday’s clash is likely to be a challenge if the pre-Christmas meeting between the sides is anything to go by. Liverpool won 6-3 in north London in December in an incredibly open game, with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah netting a brace.

Spurs have failed to win any of their three meetings as injuries continue to hamper their campaign. Another weakened side will face Liverpool in midweek, and the Reds could make their own changes after Sunday’s grueling draw with rivals Manchester United.

Here 90 minutes guide to the final-four clash between Tottenham and Liverpool.

Tottenham – Liverpool H2H record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Not only will Spurs be without a number of first-team players due to injury, they will also be without James Maddison and Papa Matar Sarra due to suspension. Both have collected two yellow cards in the last round.

Tottenham’s defense was decimated for the visit of the Premier League’s top goalscorers, with Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie all missing. Fraser Forster was absent over the weekend due to illness, which means new singing Antonin Kinsky could appear between the sticks.

Further forward, Wilson Odobert and Richarlison are still sidelined with long-term injury problems, but Ange Postecoglou has confirmed youngster Mikey Moore could be in the matchday squad after a lengthy lay-off through illness.

Predicted line-up of Tottenham against Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Porro, Dragushin, Gray, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Salt pans.

Liverpool have endured a relatively rosy season injury-wise but will be without versatile defender Joe Gomez after he pulled a hamstring in the 5-0 win over West Ham United. He will be out until the end of January at the earliest.

Dominik Szoboszlai missed the weekend draw with Man Utd due to illness and Arne Slot confirmed he is uncertain for Wednesday.

“Yesterday [Monday] he was not inside [training] more. If he’s here today, I doubt he’ll be ready to start the game. But we hope it’s here today. It wasn’t yesterday,” admitted the Dutchman.

Otherwise, Liverpool have a fully prepared squad – even if Slot rotates his squad. Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate returned after five weeks in the treatment room on Sunday against Man Utd, while Diogo Jota could earn a first-team start after returning against Spurs.

Predicted line-up of Liverpool against Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Iota.

Goals are almost guaranteed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and last month’s nine-goal affair is indicative of what is to come this Wednesday. However, with Liverpool likely to make changes after a grueling encounter with Man Utd last weekend, the goals may be more even on this occasion.

Spurs showed their attacking prowess in the 6-3 defeat, producing a late display as Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke shone. Liverpool’s fearsome attack is likely to enjoy midweek as well, making for a frenetic affair that could keep Spurs level at Anfield in early February for the second leg.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool

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