Carabao Cup holders Liverpool destroyed a shortage of one goal to book their place in the showpiece of the competition in March with an exciting 4-1 aggregated victory over toothless Tottenham.
Goals of Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk canceled the strike of Lucas Bergvall from the first stage and convicted traces against their joint heaviest defeat of Ange Postecoglou's rule.
Dominant Liverpool let their visitors pay for carelessness in the first period when the simple giveaway action of Yves Bissouma offered the chance for Salah to feed Gakpo, but the rest was a procession, while the Egyptian scored from the penalty spot, Szoboszlai stroked a third and of a third and of Van Dijk Dijk nodded Alexis Mac Allister's corner past a regrettable Antonin Kinsky.
The ruthless Reds of Arne Slot meet Newcastle -who defeated Arsenal 4-0 about their respective two legs -in Wembley Stadium on March 16 for the chance to lift a record -extending 11th League Cup trophy.
Postecoglou's promise of the second season silverware now feels further than ever, with his side unable to even collect a shot on goal during a lifeless 90 minutes in Anfield.
Redknapp spreads at Spurs' Fight
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp:
“I can't remember a team in my life with less fight with what Spurs did today. I don't have a shot at goal in the semi -final of a second stage when you try to change the course of your history?
“I feel sorry for those players. I have never seen anything like that. You have young players, you are meant to protect them.
“Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, they are young men and do their best. But today I look at the experienced players to lead and try to determine the pace. That didn't.”
“There has been some lows this season – Palace, Ipswich and Everton. But if you look at that today, The Scoreline? Just terrible.”
Analysis: Tottenham Chaotic and confused
Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:
It would not be exaggerated to say that Tottenham hardly participated in that semi -final. The body language of players reads something that has put me out of my misery in the vicinity of '.
Liverpool was impressive, very slippery, but Tottenham had nothing to offer, not even faith. They only completed 88 fits in the first period, their least in half of football under Postecoglou and the second 45 minutes only got worse. The score flattered them – the 0.18 of XG that they generated just as pathetic.
What the manager will disappoint the most is the contrast of a first stage of such a promise. There was little to be proud of a person. However, where Postecoglou itself will have to admit, however, is more than a clear lack of game plan. What were Spurs set up to do?
Jamie Redknapp said that he was 'bewildered' by the tactic of Postecoglou. The players seemed confused for a moment, making it impossible to get a foot on the ground and played directly in Liverpool's sustainable hands.
CARRIJFHER: Spurs never shocks in big games
Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher:
“It was never in doubt before the game. It is Tottenham! When does Tottenham ever win a big game? When will Tottenham ever start to surprise, winning against expectations?
“The opportunities were in great advantage for Liverpool – they are in Anfield, they are the best team in the country, perhaps the best team in Europe at the moment.
“But it's not just this Spurs team. They never shock you, never do anything special.
Postecoglou considers the opinion from outside 'irrelevant'
Tottenham Head Coach Ange Postcoglou:
“It is honest to say that we did not come to the level that we needed tonight. For us to give ourselves a chance that we had to be much more aggressive and without the ball – we were not. We allowed them To check and dictate.
In response to Redknapp's claim that Spurs fell without a fight, Postecoglou said: “I know people are becoming enthusiastic about things like that, people on TV give opinions, they are to do.
“My job is to manage this football club. What people think or don't think it is relevant, it doesn't really matter. I don't emphasize it or who we are. Everyone can have an opinion and express it. My opinion Is that I don't have to respond to it or is affected.
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