Tottenham vs Liverpool – Carabao Cup: Preview, Predictions, and Lineups

• Tottenham host Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
• The teams recently delivered a nine-goal thriller in the Premier League.
• Liverpool are the defending champions, while Spurs last lifted a trophy in 2008.

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool clash on Wednesday in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with both sides eager to secure an advantage heading into the decisive return fixture.

Liverpool, the reigning champions, aim to defend their title after clinching it during Jurgen Klopp’s final season at Anfield. Meanwhile, Tottenham are looking to break a 15-year trophy drought, with their last silverware being the 2008 EFL Cup.

The encounter promises excitement, as their pre-Christmas meeting saw Liverpool triumph 6-3 in a high-scoring thriller. Spurs’ injury woes and recent poor form contrast with Liverpool’s stable squad and better results, but both teams will likely rotate players after demanding schedules.

Key Match Details

• Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England
• Date: Wednesday, 8 January
• Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
• Referee: Stuart Attwell
• VAR: Paul Tierney

Recent Form

Tottenham

• Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle (04/12/24)
• Tottenham 2-2 Wolves (29/12/24)
• Nottingham Forest 1-0 Tottenham (26/12/24)
• Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (22/12/24)
• Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd (19/12/24)

Liverpool

• Liverpool 2-2 Man Utd (05/12/24)
• West Ham 0-5 Liverpool (29/12/24)
• Liverpool 3-1 Leicester (26/12/24)
• Tottenham 3-6 Liverpool (22/12/24)
• Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (18/12/24)

Team News

Tottenham

Spurs will field a heavily weakened lineup due to injuries and suspensions. James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr are suspended after accumulating two yellow cards in earlier rounds. Key defenders such as Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and Destiny Udogie are all sidelined, while Fraser Forster’s illness could see Antonin Kinsky debut in goal.

In attack, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert remain unavailable. However, young talent Mikey Moore may return to the squad after recovering from illness.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bentancur, Bissouma; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Solanke.

Liverpool

Liverpool are in better shape, though Joe Gomez is ruled out until late January due to a hamstring injury. Dominik Szoboszlai missed the weekend clash against Manchester United due to illness and remains a doubt.

Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate returned to action recently and could feature, while Diogo Jota may make his first start after recovering from injury.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Jota.

Score Prediction

Goals are almost guaranteed in this matchup, considering the thrilling 6-3 result in December. With Spurs showcasing attacking potential through Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke, and Liverpool boasting one of the league’s best attacks, this semi-final promises to be another high-scoring encounter.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Liverpool