Liverpool’s brightest stars scored three goals of the highest possible quality as they bounced Tottenham Hotspur from the 2026-27 League Cup with a 3-1 victory at Anfield on Tuesday.
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo thought they had done something special with their belters to put Liverpool 2-0 ahead after 54 minutes, but Dominik Szoboszlai upstaged them when he put the game to bed in the 91st minute. Conor Gallagher pulled one back for Spurs in the 69th, before Szoboszlai’s staggering strike not only clinched Liverpool’s place in the fourth round but highlighted the gulf in world-class talent between the two sides.
Spurs put forth their best performance of the season and didn’t give Liverpool too many clear looks at goal, and they even impressed with some of their passing and counter-attacking moves, but everything in the final third remains a major work in progress for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Gallagher’s goal, which was Spurs’ first against a PL side this season (five games), came courtesy of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili flailing whiff at a corner kick that came down inside his six-yard box.
Without European football this season, Spurs have one final shot at a trophy — the FA Cup — and perhaps as few as 35 more games to play.
Liverpool vs Spurs final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Alexis Mac Allister (21'), Cody Gakpo (54'), Conor Gallagher (69'), Dominik Szoboszlai (90'+1)
The initial threat had gone as Spurs recovered defensively and tackled the ball away from Ngumoha, but it rolled right to Alexis Mac Allister making the late-arriving run to the top of the box. Calm, cool, composed.
WHAT A FINISH FROM ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER 👌
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2026
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Spurs did everything they could to sign Cody Gakpo this summer, and now he’s scored a screamer that should put them out of their best chance to win a trophy this season. What a strike. The difference in this game is Mac Allister and Gakpo’s confidence to take their chances like world-class players, and Spurs looking completely lost in front of goal.
Cody Gakpo's brilliant start to the season continues 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2026
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Spurs are back in this, and it’s Mamardashvili who they should be thanking. Mateus Fernandes floated a corner kick to the back post and Mamardashvili failed to get a hand to it deep inside his own six. Conor Gallagher headed home from the doorstep. Game on.
Conor Gallagher ends Spurs’ 339-minute goal drought ⚽️
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2026
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Dominik Szoboszlai has turned into one of the very best players in the Premier League right in front of our eyes. Gakpo flicks it Szoboszlai’s way, he chests it down and to his right, and unleashes a lightning bolt that may have originated all the way in Hungary. Game over.
WOW DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI 🤯
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 15, 2026
A golazo of the highest order to seal Liverpool's win over Tottenham 🔥
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Possession: 47-53
Shots: 6-6
On target: 2-1
xG: 0.70-0.90
Passes: 155-184
Alexis Mac Allister’s stunning strike is the difference after 45 minutes, but Spurs will take some solace from their first-half performance. They defended well, they moved the ball around well and created a few clear-cut chances on the counter, but the final (and most important) touch still eludes them.
Omar Marmoush, Udogie and Bergvall cut through Liverpool with shocking ease from inside their own half and into Liverpool’s penalty area in the blink of an eye. Udogie’s cross found an unmarked Mohammed Kudus inside the six-yard box, but somehow he managed to put it over the bar with the goal gaping in front of him.
Rio Ngumoha slipped a sensational pass behind Spurs’ backline and found Lewis Koumas with only Martin Dubravka to beat inside the six, but Spurs’ backup goalkeeper made an equally impressive save Marmadashvili’s a few minutes ago.
Destiny Udogie made the overlapping run down the left and put a quality cross into the box that found Lucas Bergvall near the penalty spot. Bergvall took it first-time with his left foot, Giorgi Mamardashvili made stellar kick save to his right as he was moving to his left.
Promising start by Spurs, though.
These sides last met in the semifinals of the League Cup two seasons ago, in January and February 2025. Spurs led 1-0 after the home leg via Lucas Bergvall’s late winner, but the Reds put four past them at Anfield and advanced to the final (which they lost to Newcastle).
Dubravka - Gray, Tosin, Senesi, Udogie - Bentancur, Bergvall, Gallagher - Kudus, Tel, Marmoush
Mamardashvili - Frimpong, Gomez, Araujo, Kerkez - Nyoni, McConnell, Mac Allister - Ngumoha, Koumas, Gakpo
Today
Peterborough vs Barnsley — 2:30 pm ET
West Ham vs Fulham — 2:45 pm ET
Liverpool vs Spurs — 3 pm ET
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal — 3 pm ET
Reading vs Brentford — 3 pm ET
Tomorrow
Everton vs Wolves — 2:45 pm ET
Fleetwood Town vs Sheffield United — 2:45 pm ET
Manchester United vs Brighton — 3 pm ET
Coventry City vs Aston Villa — 3 pm ET
Thursday
Manchester City vs Norwich City — 2:30 pm ET
OUT: Sandro Tonali (knock), Pedro Porro (undisclosed), Mykhailo Mudryk (ankle), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee)
OUT: Hugo Ekitike (achilles), Conor Bradley (knee), Federico Chiesa (back), Giovanni Lenoi (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Joe Gomez (undisclosed)
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
Streaming: Paramount+
