Mac Allister and Szoboszlai Fire Liverpool Past Spurs 2026

Key Points

• The Carabao Cup saw Liverpool defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 to advance to the fourth round.
• Mac Allister scored the first goal of the match through a fierce first-time shot on goal.
• Rio Ngumoha set up Liverpool’s early goal.
• Cody Gakpo put Liverpool ahead with a second goal just after half-time.
• Tottenham managed to cut Liverpool’s lead to one as Conor Gallagher netted through a header from a corner.
• Liverpool secured the win as Dominik Szoboszlai netted from a long-range shot in added time.
• Joe Gomez came back from an injury and featured in his first game of the season.
• There were ten new starters for Liverpool compared to their last game with Fulham.
• The only Liverpool player to start who started in the last game was Ronald Araújo.
• Liverpool will participate in the draw of the next round of the competition.

Liverpool Sports (Liverpool standard) September 15, 2026 – It beat Spurs 3-1 in an entertaining Carabao Cup tie to secure their place in the fourth-round draw, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai scoring for the home side.

Liverpool took control of the match through an early goal from Mac Allister. The midfielder produced a powerful first-time finish after receiving a pass from Rio Ngumoha across the edge of the penalty area.

Tottenham attempted to remain competitive after falling behind, but Liverpool carried their advantage into the interval. The home side then strengthened its position soon after half-time when Gakpo scored with a drive across goal from inside the box.

Spurs responded through Gallagher, who headed in from close range after Tottenham won a corner. The goal gave the visitors a route back into the tie and increased the pressure on Liverpool during the closing stages.

Liverpool ultimately avoided a late fightback when Szoboszlai produced a decisive long-range strike in stoppage time. The goal confirmed Liverpool’s 3-1 victory and ensured that the club would advance to the next stage of the Carabao Cup.

How did Liverpool take the lead?

Liverpool moved ahead through Mac Allister during an energetic opening period. According to Liverpool’s official match report, Ngumoha supplied the pass across the edge of the area, allowing Mac Allister to meet the ball first time and send a powerful finish beyond the Tottenham goalkeeper.

The opening goal gave Liverpool an early advantage and rewarded their attacking approach. Mac Allister’s finish also provided the first significant turning point of the match, as Tottenham were forced to chase the game rather than control the early stages.

Ngumoha’s contribution was also important. His pass created the opportunity for Mac Allister to strike without needing an additional touch, helping Liverpool turn possession near the edge of the penalty area into the opening goal.

The early lead allowed Liverpool to play with greater control. Tottenham had to respond by committing more players forward, while Liverpool could look for opportunities to attack the spaces created by the visitors’ pursuit of an equaliser.

When did Gakpo score for Liverpool?

Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s advantage shortly after the interval with a drive across goal from inside the penalty area. The finish put the hosts 2-0 ahead and gave Tottenham a more difficult task in the second half.

Liverpool’s second goal arrived at a crucial moment. Tottenham had the opportunity to regroup during half-time, but Gakpo’s effort extended the home side’s lead before Spurs could establish sustained pressure.

The goal also changed the tactical balance of the match. With Liverpool two goals ahead, Tottenham needed to score at least twice to prevent the home side from progressing. That required the visitors to take greater risks in attack.

Gakpo’s strike gave Liverpool a cushion, but the match was not settled. Tottenham remained capable of responding, particularly from set pieces and attacking situations around the Liverpool penalty area.

How did Tottenham reduce the deficit?

Tottenham pulled a goal back when Gallagher headed in from close range following a corner. The goal reduced Liverpool’s lead to 2-1 and brought Spurs back into contention.

Gallagher’s header demonstrated the importance of set-piece situations in a cup match. Tottenham used the corner to create a close-range opportunity, and the midfielder’s finish gave the visitors renewed belief.

At 2-1, Liverpool could no longer rely solely on the advantage created by Gakpo’s goal. Tottenham had a realistic opportunity to equalise, while Liverpool had to defend their lead and manage the final stages carefully.

The response also ensured that the closing period remained competitive. Rather than seeing the match fade after Liverpool’s second goal, Tottenham’s strike created pressure for the home team and made the result uncertain until stoppage time.

How did Szoboszlai seal Liverpool’s victory?

Liverpool confirmed their progress when Szoboszlai scored with a long-range strike in stoppage time. The effort restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage and ended Tottenham’s hopes of forcing a late equaliser.

The goal was the final major moment of the contest. With Spurs searching for a way back into the match, Szoboszlai’s finish provided Liverpool with a decisive conclusion.

A stoppage-time goal can be especially important in a knockout competition because it removes the possibility of an immediate response. Szoboszlai’s strike ensured that Liverpool would not have to endure further pressure at 2-1.

The result finished 3-1 to Liverpool, giving the club a clear margin of victory and confirming its place in the draw for the next stage of the Carabao Cup.

Which changes did Liverpool make?

Liverpool made 10 changes from the team selected for the weekend fixture against Fulham. The official report said that Joe Gomez made his first appearance of the season after injury and was given the captain’s armband.

The extensive rotation showed that Liverpool used the cup tie to provide opportunities to players who had not started the previous match. It also allowed the club to manage the squad across different competitions.

Ronald Araújo was the only player to retain his place in the starting XI. The decision meant that Liverpool changed almost the entire starting line-up while still producing a result strong enough to secure progression.

Gomez’s return was another significant feature of the team selection. After recovering from injury, his appearance gave him valuable competitive minutes and added experience to a much-changed Liverpool side.

Liverpool’s starting XI was listed as Mamardashvili, Gomez, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong, Araújo, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas and Ngumoha.

What was Liverpool’s team news?

Gomez began the match as captain before being replaced by Jacquet at half-time. Nyoni and McConnell were also substituted during the second half, with Gravenberch and Szoboszlai entering in the 62nd minute.

Koumas was replaced by Isak in the 86th minute, while Ngumoha made way for Barcola in the 71st minute. These substitutions helped Liverpool manage the players’ workloads and maintain energy during the latter stages.

Liverpool’s listed substitutes who did not play were Alisson, Endo, Munoz and Chambers.

The changes also gave several squad members an opportunity to contribute to a competitive cup fixture. Szoboszlai’s introduction proved particularly influential because he scored the decisive third goal in stoppage time.

What does the result mean for both clubs?

Liverpool’s 3-1 win means the club has progressed to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. The team will now await the draw for the next stage of the tournament.

For Liverpool, the result provides successful progression despite making major changes to the starting line-up. The goals from Mac Allister, Gakpo and Szoboszlai also showed that the reshuffled side retained enough attacking quality to overcome Tottenham.

Tottenham’s elimination means the club will not be involved in the next round of this competition. Gallagher’s goal briefly gave Spurs a chance to recover, but Liverpool’s late response ended that possibility.

The match was decided by Liverpool’s ability to establish an early advantage, extend it after half-time and respond effectively after Tottenham reduced the deficit. Szoboszlai’s late strike ensured that the final score reflected Liverpool’s overall control of the key moments.

Background to Liverpool’s Carabao Cup progress

The Carabao Cup is an English domestic knockout competition in which clubs advance through successive rounds until the final. Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham places the club in the fourth-round draw, extending its involvement in the tournament.

The match featured Mac Allister’s early finish, Gakpo’s second-half goal, Gallagher’s response and Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time strike as the decisive events.

The match also formed part of Liverpool’s squad-management programme. With 10 changes made from the weekend fixture against Fulham, the club used the tie to rotate its line-up while maintaining competitive performance. Gomez’s return from injury was a notable development, while Araújo was the only player to keep his starting position from the previous match.

How could Liverpool’s progress affect supporters?

Liverpool supporters can expect the club to remain involved in the Carabao Cup and to receive details of the fourth-round draw when it is made. The victory also gives fans another competitive fixture to follow as the team continues its domestic campaign.

The result may increase interest in players who took their opportunities in the rotated line-up. Mac Allister, Gakpo and Szoboszlai all scored, while Ngumoha’s assist contributed to the opening goal. Gomez’s return could also be welcomed by supporters concerned about the club’s defensive options.

For Tottenham supporters, the defeat brings the club’s Carabao Cup campaign to an end. Gallagher’s goal offered encouragement during the match, but Spurs were unable to complete a comeback at Anfield.

The confirmed outcome is that Liverpool beat Spurs 3-1 and progressed to the fourth round, while Tottenham were eliminated from the competition.