Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup semi-final line-ups and updates as Antonin Kinsky makes debut

Cody Gakpo has been involved in nine goals in his nine League Cup appearances, scoring eight and assisting one.

However, the only two games in which he’s failed to register a goal or assist in the competition have been his two games in London (semi-final away to Fulham and final at Wembley last season).

Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.

In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United.

Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.

Tottenham have progressed from four of their seven League Cup ties against Liverpool overall, but did lose 2-1 in the most recent such meeting in the 2016-17 fourth round.

Also, Spurs have lost their last two League Cup games against the holders of the competition, most recently in the 2021 final versus Manchester City.

Liverpool have progressed from seven of their last nine League Cup semi-final ties and are looking to reach the final in consecutive years for the first time since a run of four between 1981 and 1984.

This is Liverpool’s 20th appearance in the League Cup semi-final and Tottenham’s 18th – the top two last-four appearances of any clubs in the competition’s history.

In the Reds’ previous 19 League Cup last-four ties, they have won the first leg on 10 occasions, with four draws and five losses.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Jota, Gakpo

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Pedro Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bissouma, Bentancur, Bergvall; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

The South Korean’s deal was due to expire at the end of this campaign after a decade at the north London club.

But Spurs have activated an extension to their captain’s deal, keeping him under contract until the conclusion of the 2025/26 season and ensuring that he can not depart on a free transfer this summer.

Ange Postecoglou spoke about what he is expecting from tonight’s game and how Liverpool will play. The Spurs boss said: “We’ve got an opponent who has been the standout team so far this year in all competitions.

“They are a top side. They’re really settled, I think they have got just about everyone fit and healthy. They can rotate players so they’re in a good moment and it will be a great challenge for us.”

“It would be a bit weird if I said during the summer break that we are very happy with the team then I would tell you something completely different now.” said Arne Slot when asked if he wanted to make some signings in the January transfer window.

He continued: “But you always look at the market, this club has always looked at the market. I think we did this with the goalkeeper we don’t even have at the moment [Giorgi Mamardashvili]; if there is a chance in the market this club always tries to bring that chance in. But the team is in a good place.

“Unfortunately, Joe Gomez is injured [and] that means we go from four centre-backs back to three, but he will be back in a few weeks so [I am] very happy with the team and I think they deserved that trust from the club and from me if you look at the performances they have brought in over the last half-season.”