Match reportLiverpool beat Spurs to secure Carabao Cup progress at Anfield
In an entertaining contest, Alexis Mac Allister gave the Reds an early lead courtesy of a thumping first-time finish from Rio Ngumoha’s pass across the edge of the area.
Cody Gakpo doubled the home team’s lead soon after the interval with a drive across goal inside the box, but Conor Gallagher nodded in a corner from close range to get Spurs back into the tie.
However, a stunning long-range strike from Szoboszlai in stoppage-time secured Liverpool’s place in Wednesday’s draw for the next stage of the tournament.
Team news
Joe Gomez made his first appearance of the season after injury and took the captain’s armband as Andoni Iraola made 10 changes from the weekend fixture with Fulham.
Only Ronald Araujo kept a place in the XI as the Reds shuffled the pack for the cup tie.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Gomez (Jacquet, 46), Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong, Araujo, Nyoni (Gravenberch, 62), McConnell (Szoboszlai, 62), Koumas (Isak, 86), Ngumoha (Barcola, 71).
Unused subs: Alisson, Endo, Munoz, Chambers.
First half
Tottenham fashioned the game’s first big chance after 11 minutes of play, but were thwarted by a fine save from Giorgi Mamardashvili.
A low ball into the area from the left found Lucas Bergvall unmarked in a central position eight yards out. His first-time, side-foot effort looked certain to find the back of the net, but it was deflected away by the knee of Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
Soon after, at the other end, Spurs had Martin Dubravka to thank for keeping the scoreline goalless as he denied Lewis Koumas in a one-on-one situation following a ball from Ngumoha.
Then, with 21 played, a breakthrough. Ngumoha collected a pass from Gakpo on the right of the box, ran at Destiny Udogie before cutting it back towards the centre of the area, allowing Mac Allister the opportunity to rasp a curling shot into the top corner.
In what was proving an absorbing first half, Tottenham had an opportunity on the counter when Mohammed Kudus scooped a cross from Udogie over the crossbar from close range.
Koumas had an effort blocked by Marcos Senesi on the edge of the area before he had a cut-back deflected into the path of Mac Allister at point-blank range, but the midfielder couldn’t bring it under control as Liverpool threatened a second before the break.
Second half
Jeremy Jacquet replaced Gomez at the break for the home side, who would add that second goal soon after the restart.
Kerkez touched off a Ngumoha pass into the path of Mac Allister, who in turn played it to Gakpo inside the left channel of the area. The forward checked onto his right foot past Archie Gray and drove a crisp shot across goal and into the far corner.
Spurs sent on Liverpool legend Andy Robertson in the aftermath, with the Scotland international afforded a standing ovation from all inside Anfield.
Just after the hour, Mamardashvili showed smart reflexes to keep out a snap-shot from Kudus towards the near bottom corner of his goal.
A last-ditch challenge from Milos Kerkez then denied Omar Marmoush the chance to get a clear shot in at goal from well inside the box.
However, Spurs’ endeavours paid off when Gallagher headed in from a corner inside the six-yard box to reduce the deficit with 21 minutes of normal time remaining.
As the game ticked towards full-time, Szoboszlai was foiled by Dubravka after a high press from the goalkeeper’s attempt to play out allowed Mac Allister to nudge him in on goal.
Lucas Bergvall headed against Kerkez and Mamardashvili produced a fine one-handed stop to frustrate Marmoush as Tottenham pressured once more.
In a frantic finale, substitute Alexander Isak had shot blocked by Adarabioyo, with the forward claiming a hand was used, and Savio poked off target for Spurs.
However, the tie was settled in Liverpool’s favour when Szoboszlai spectacularly lashed a bouncing ball into the net from a central position 25 yards out in stoppage-time, putting the outcome beyond doubt.
Attendance: 60,169