Liverpool 3 – 1 Tottenham
The Reds: Mac Allister 21’, Gakpo 54’, Szoboszlai 90+1
Spurs: Gallagher 69’
Pre-Match
Welcome to the least important competitive match of the season. I’ll be putting in as much effort as Liverpool does. Spurs enter the match having not scored “a goal” yet, so I’m sure Liverpool will gladly help them with that effort.
First Half
It looks like both sides have decided that defending is optional, and I’m here for it. That’s how cup ties should be. That said, Liverpool are much more on the back foot than we’re typically used
to seeing at Anfield, and that’s certainly less than ideal.
Lewis Koumas is looking as exciting as usual, and nearly puts Liverpool ahead with some fantastic close control in the box, but can’t quite beat the keeper.
Alexis Mac Allister puts Liverpool ahead with a phenomenal finish from the top of the box. A lose ball falls to him and he places it in the top corner. The keeper didn’t even move.
After Liverpool’s goal not a whole lot happens. Spurs had a bright start but really tailed off by the end of the half, looking like a team that thinks a 1-0 deficit is impossible to overcome. Hey, we’ve all been there.
Second Half
Jacquet comes on as a halftime sub for Gomez. Joe looked decent out there, and good to see that he got a chance to get some minutes in his legs as he recovers from his pre-season injury.
I could get used to these goals to start the second half! A few quick passes around the box, and Mac Allister picks out Gakpo, who—you won’t believe this—shifts the ball onto his right foot and shoots (and scores).
Robbo—who had already had the Kop sing his name in the first half when he warmed up—came on as a sub, and the stadium once again errupted in his song.
Iraola responds with a couple subs of his own, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch coming on for McConnell and Nyoni.
Liverpool just had to make a game out of this and concede on from a corner. Gallagher was wide open at the backpost. Far too easy for the visitors.
Following the goal, Iraola brings on Barcola for Ngumoha. And with about 5 minutes of regular time to go, Isak comes on for Koumas.
Liverpool’s backup keeper, Mamardashvili, who came under a lot of scrutiny last season, has had to come up big a few times tonight, and deserves praise for tonight’s performance.
And Dominik Szoboszlai puts the icing on the cake with an absolutely filthy strike from more than 30 yards out. Dom chested down the pass from Gakpo, and hit a swerving shot on the half-volley that left the keeper with no chance. There were children watching, Dom.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool onto the next round. Good?
