Pre-Match: Tottenham v Liverpool Carabao Cup SF 1st Leg Weds 8th Jan 20:00 KO

Next up, Spurs in the Carabao Cup Semi Finals.

Expecting a few changes from the United game:

Kelleher

Bradley
Quansah
van Dijk (c)
Tsimikas

Gravenberch
Mac Allister

Salah
Elliott
Gakpo

Jota

Subs:

Alisson (GK)
Alexander-Arnold
Nallo
Szoboszlai
Jones
Endo
Diaz
Nunez
Chiesa

Injured:

Gomez

NB: Team no longer available

Trent and Robertson needs a break! Konate needs his fitness back. Darwin is suspended with 5 yellows.

If Domink recovers well from the flu, I would play him.

Chiesa, Elliott to enter around 65th minute.

We have two cup games coming up

Think we will be strong against Spurs with maybe Jota and Nunez coming in

And Kellher playing both cup games

Kellher

Bradley
Quansah
VVD
Robbo

Grav
Jones
Elliot

Nunez
Jota
Mo

We have two cup games coming up

Think we will be strong against Spurs with maybe Jota and Nunez coming in

And Kellher playing both cup games

Kellher

Bradley
Quansah
VVD
Robbo

Grav
Jones
Elliot

Nunez
Jota
Mo

Nunez suspended.

Nunez suspended.

Against Forest

Nunez suspended.

No he isn't

Kelleher
Bradley
VVD
Konate/Quansah
Tzimikas
Grav
Mac
Szlob
Diaz
Jota
Salah

Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, VVD, Tsimikas; Grav, Mac, Dom; Salah, Jota, Gakpo.

Cannot see Bradley starting. That would suggest he has 45 or 60 in him.

Reason I can't see it is had he been able to do more than 10 yesterday he would most certainly have been brought on earlier.

Have to he careful with any player who is crucial for the league.

The result is secondary in these Cup games (this season), the prime focus is the league, and ensuring players are right for it.

Kelleher, Quansah, Chiesa, Nunez, Tsimi, Endo, Elliott... there's seven. Nyoni? Jones maybe starts as he needs to up it. Bradley to get 20 maybe (hopefully more if he's up to it). Some minutes late on for Konate and possibly Dom if he is back. Fine tuning for the league, that's the priority.

Think we should concentrate on this one first like.

Being a semi it's a big game I guess.

Think we should concentrate on this one first like.

Being a semi it's a big game I guess.

Big game? Thought you lot called this the Micky Mouse Cup?

Oh sh!t I remember now! When you’re still in it it’s a big game/competition.

Well whoever starts, we can’t afford another debacle like the game v munts.
We play like that again and get beaten, that will be the beginning of the downward spiral. The confidence will be gone, the finger pointing will start, and all momentum will be gone.
Strongest IN FORM 11 for me.
Prediction 🤷‍♂️ what Liverpool side are gonna show up.

As it stands, the tactic will be press press press, and concentrate on attacking the Liverpool right side of defence. Get 3 players in there supporting each other, and Liverpool won’t cope with the over load.

That’s my team talk to Spurs !
What are we gonna do about it 🤷‍♂️

Big game? Thought you lot called this the Micky Mouse Cup?

Oh sh!t I remember now! When you’re still in it it’s a big game/competition.

Chill out Keith.

Our club has a proud record in this. Still remember some nerve shredding League Cup semi finals over the years against the likes of City Chelsea and Arsenal.

Get this far you might as well go for it.

Be nice for the new manager to get some silver ware into the club.

No he isn't

Suspension is not carried on into the cups?  Example: Slot was banned then he did it in the cup.

Big game? Thought you lot called this the Micky Mouse Cup?

Oh sh!t I remember now! When you’re still in it it’s a big game/competition.

Just go and enjoy your 'we drew at anfield ' cup

Suspension is not carried on into the cups?  Example: Slot was banned then he did it in the cup.

No banned for Forest only

Have to he careful with any player who is crucial for the league.

Seems to me he was crucial to the league yesterday, and if he'd been brought on at about 50 mins, we likely would have gone on to win. Never know for sure will we, but Trent needed taking out of his misery much earlier than he was. Think that's a major mistake by Arne, as Trent was getting schooled out there, and obvious to everyone.

Suspension is not carried on into the cups?  Example: Slot was banned then he did it in the cup.

It's different for players.

For managers is carries across, for players it only carries across if you pick up a straight red or 2 yellows in the same game i.e Robbo v Fulham. 5/10 yellows in the Prem is served in Prem only.

Just go and enjoy your 'we drew at anfield ' cup

😂 you fcukers lucky 😂

Nothing will be decided tomorrow night, even if we come away with a narrow loss (don't think will be the case), we'll have more than enough to turn it around in 2nd leg.

A mix of first team and rotational players. Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Kostas, Endo all come in. Possible Harvey too if Szobo is still unwell. I'd keep Virg and Mo in just to keep the morale of the team going into this high.

Something like; Kelleher, Bradley Quansah Virgil Kostas, Endo Mac, Salah Szobo Nunez, Jota

Would give Nunez a go on the left side with Jota through the middle, not working at all down the middle in this system, maybe see if we can get a tune out of him on the left. Harvey, Chiesa, Grav and maybe Ibou all to get minutes off the bench.

Spurs have Sarr and Maddison both banned for this I believe, with Vicario Forster Udogie Romero VDV Davies and Richarlison all still out.

No Szoboszlai so would like to think Elliott might get the nod to start unless he goes with same 3 . Szoboszlai and Konate both need minutes against Stanley and probably Bradley if not getting many tomorrow

As long as we match the opposition for aggressiveness, we should be ok. We can certainly outplay them, but not if we get bullied like jones and Diaz did v munts.

The match is live in the UK on... Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football : www.live-footballontv.com/liverpool-on-tv.html

The match is live on TV around the world (+ great for IPTV etc) : www.livesoccertv.com/match/5139427/tottenham-hotspur-vs-liverpool

ITV4 have a 30 minute highlights program for the 1st leg semi-finals on Wednesday night - 11.45pm to 12.15am : www.itv.com/watch/tv-guide/2025-01-08




Match Officials...

Referee: Stuart Atwell, Assistant Referees: Lee Betts and Constantine 'Elbows' Hatzidakis, Fourth Official: Tim Robinson. VAR: Paul Tierney.

^ www.efl.com/news/2025/january/03/carabao-cup-semi-final-first-leg-referee-appointments




'Arne Slot's Carabao Cup Press Conference | Tottenham vs Liverpool'...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh5_wfrJGRY




'Dominik Szoboszlai fitness update' - from LFC.tv...

www.liverpoolfc.com/news/dominik-szoboszlai-fitness-update-0

^ 'Asked if he was expecting to have the No.8 available for the trip to Spurs, Slot told a press conference on Tuesday morning: "Yesterday he wasn't in yet. If he's in today, I would doubt if he's available to start the game. But hopefully he's in today. Yesterday he wasn't."'




'Live: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool | Carabao Cup Semi-Final Build-Up' - live on Wednesday from 6.45pm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdUeSSDkrGk

No Konate likely to play.

While rotation would be good here, I think Slot might go a bit stronger than expected, with some positions changing by means of default.

Slot said pre-game on Sunday that Konate wouldn't play midweek so that means that it is going to be Quansah & VVD at the back as they are the only other CBs available. The Trent stuff is interesting. If he doesn't start, then the media will focus in on it and spin the big narrative of 'Slot drops Trent' which is never nice for any player. He might deserve it, but I'm sure Slot wants to keep his criticism in-house and now have a lot of noise on top of the current furore. Especially when the contract stuff is factored in. Bradley might not actually be fit enough to play so soon again anyways, and for 45/60 mins.

The midfield I think will go stronger. Szobozlai is probably out, which reduces the numbers by 1. I think that Slot will be reluctant to start Endo in midfield as the Spurs press will target him for high turnovers via Maddison/Kulu and quick breaks through on goal. Endo is fine in certain games and situations, but I don't think that the slow build up, but quick turns to open the pitch up are his forte. He can ping a pass through the lines directly sure, but the quick movement and turns and methodical type stuff is not his strong point. Surely Elliott will get a start now though too, but I don't think Slot trusts him as the 10 yet. Jota to continue his recent role of playing as the 10, high and close to the front man

I think it might be something like this

----------------Kelleher-------------
Trent---Quansah---VVD---Tsimikas
------Gravenberch---MacA---------
Elliott-----------Jota------------Diaz
----------------Nunez---------------

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

Don’t think Arsenal and Newcastle have much choice though

Fitness pending I’m almost certain we will go full strength tomorrow.

Arsenal and Newcastle have tonight and we will follow suit.

I've got a feeling Kelleher may play.

Don’t think Arsenal and Newcastle have much choice though

Arsenal could have played Jorginho, Sterling etc and Newcastle could have gone with Barnes, Longstaff, Almiron etc.

I've got a feeling Kelleher may play.

Yeah I agree with this. He deserves to play in this competition and maybe the FA Cup too (although Klopp felt Ali was the FA Cup keeper, will be interesting to see how Slot sees it).

Yeah I agree with this. He deserves to play in this competition and maybe the FA Cup too (although Klopp felt Ali was the FA Cup keeper, will be interesting to see how Slot sees it).

Could play him both games then bring Ali back for Forest

Gonna be tough if we don't shore up the back line. Konate I think was thrown in too soon after his injury, Trent has lost his mojo at the mo. Spurs clearly gonna attack him if he starts, and they do have lots of pace out wide.  Quansa is good if the right Quanta turns up. He can also be very nervous. Bradley is solid and half decent going forwards, and he does get back quickly. Robbo also needs a rest I think, and Tsimicas is ok and does offer some lovely crosses into the box, and decent corners. Think we also need Szobs energy in the middle with Mac. Grav behind these two. Mo, Gakpo and Jota, with Diaz in the false 9.
Kells in goal. That'll do it for me, 3-1 the RED MEN.

Couple of tweaks from Sunday imagine Quansah and Tzimikas come in and possibly Jota

Big game? Thought you lot called this the Micky Mouse Cup?

I never recall anyone call it that.

We've the most wins in it and one I always want us to win as well.

I never recall anyone call it

I can. Man utd fans. August 2001. There was even a banner.

I'd like us to play our best 11 except with Kelleher in Goal. Lets get this tie won in the 1st leg and the 2nd leg we can rest the main men.

I can. Man utd fans. August 2001. There was even a banner.

There was. I remember it. Obviously Keith doesn't (or maybe them rose tints blurred his vision!)

Kells...Brad..Quansah..V VD..Kostas..Graver..Mac. .Elliott..Mo..Jota..Nune z.

2-2

There was. I remember it. Obviously Keith doesn't (or maybe them rose tints blurred his vision!)

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

You still sniffin camel farts Keith?

My names Keith not Billythekunt 😂

I remember it too but I never said we didn’t use the term Micky mouse cup. When knocked out I’ve been as guilty as anyone for using that term.

Many of you lot said it anyway so stop moving goal post. 😂


Ps… it’s only the Micky mouse cup anyway. 

I suppose a Mickey Mouse cup, is better than no cup at all Keith. I'll be happy if we win it. Good start to the second half of the season in my book

Hope we smash these cu*ts & get the tie over and done with tonight..

As long as we don't go gung ho, and make sure our midfielfd fight and scrabble to get back when we lose possession, and make it hard for spurs to play through us, well win this. Leave them spaces in the middle of the park when we lose possession and well struggle to keep a clean sheet.
I don't have a problem seeing Grav marauding forward with the ball, as long as one of the others drop in to cover. With all three mids pushing on, we do leave ourselves exposed at times.
It's just seeing the situation and being disciplined enough to do what's needed. It's easy to get too enthusiastic about pushing up when you see we have teams under pressure, we just need to be more clinical in our covering.
I'm sure we'll score goals, we just need to close the openings to prevent spurs from scoring. A decent performance and a win tonight, will go a long way to instilling the belief and confidence again.
I think if we lose tonight (heaven forbid) we'll struggle against Forest at the weekend.

You still sniffin camel farts Keith?

No but by all means tell me considering you’ve already done it. 

I suppose a Mickey Mouse cup, is better than no cup at all Keith. I'll be happy if we win it. Good start to the second half of the season in my book

Me too, being fair I did say last year I thought this competition was picking up again. Like many fans though unless you reach the quarterfinals we can take it or leave it.

Seem to play better away than at home narrow 2  1 win for the Reds.

Seems Bradley is starting tonight

Good chance to rest a few. Also against Stanley at the weekend. Go against Forrest fresh.

Seems Bradley is starting tonight

Makes sense, we can play our back up right back against Accrington.

Reckon Quansah,Jota,Bradley only changes don't think Kelleher will start

Be lovely to keep a clean sheet rather than another 3-6

Need to get some stability at the back

https://x.com/anfieldedition/status/1877062451415462326?s=46&t=_4uI6CiVRqge8WqM7F37Iw

Delighted to see Conor and Kostas start.

Thought Harvey might get a run out

Good line up. Would like to have seen Szob in there but clearly not gonna be risked. I never knew he was injured/ill. I just thought he been suspended for one game due to yellow cards.
Anyway, on to Trent, Just glad to see he's been taken out of the firing line, for whatever reason. Being a cup game, good excuse to give Bradley a run.

Now go and win it red men. Clean sheet would be good for confidence as well !

Thought Harvey might get a run out

Prob at the weekend

Thought Harvey might get a run out

He still might.....just 5 minutes from the end 

Lets be honest, Arne likes grav mac and dom. Hes 50/50 at best on jones. Doesnt seem to rate harvey and is not really interested in endo. So we are operating on 3 1/2 midfielders currently. We need reinforcements there. Id like to see endo moved on this month and someone brought in who isnt just there to make up the numbers or for when there is nobody else.

Stronger team than I expected