LIVE: Ange’s Trophy Hopes Hit Hard as Liverpool Exploits Spurs’ Mistake

Ange denies Tel initially rejected Spurs | 01:11

Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have been dealt two brutal blows, with Liverpool stars Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah scoring to take a 2-1 aggregate lead in the two-game Carabao Cup semi finals series.

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Tottenham left back Djed Spence was dispossessed in the 33rd minute, with Salah whipping in an outside of the foot cross with swung across the face of defenders.

Gakpo, who has now tallied five Carabao Cup goals, then slammed it home past goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Meanwhile, Hungarian ace Dominik Szoboszlai also had a goal disallowed for offside, steaming through onto a smart pass before blasting it past Antonin Kinsky.

“It’s been the story of Liverpool’s night hasn’t it,” Didier Domi said.

Tottenham held a 1-0 lead on aggregate after winning the first leg of this clash on their home soil.

Star winger Mathys Tel, who joined Spurs from Bayern Munish on deadline day, has been named on the bench while Kevin Danso started at centre back against Liverpool.

“Spurs haven’t played bad have they? There’s just been no outlet,” Domi added.

Tel was introduced into the clash in the 45th minute, replacing Richarlison at striker in a bold move by the Australian coach.

“He’s young, but he’s been at Bayern Munish, so he knows about pressure,” one commentator said.

Then, to start the second half, Kinsky collected Darwin Nunez’s feet after a smart Salah pass, resulting in a penalty.

Salah stepped up to take the spot kick and made Spurs pay.

PRE-MATCH WRAP

Ange Postecoglou said Mathys Tel is “100 percent” committed to Tottenham after the French forward signed on loan despite reportedly rejecting a move to the club earlier in the January transfer window.

Tottenham were busy in the final hours of Monday’s deadline day as they bolstered Postecoglou’s injury-ravaged squad, bringing in Tel and defender Kevin Danso.

Bayern Munich’s Tel, 19, was also linked with Manchester United and Arsenal before opting for Tottenham, who have an option to make the move permanent in the summer transfer window.

Postecoglou, whose team take a 1-0 lead into this morning’s League Cup semi-final second-leg at Liverpool, told his pre-match press conference that Tel had been right to take his time over such a major decision.

“It’s not so much that he rejected us or rejected anyone else,” said the Spurs manager. “Rightly so he was getting as much information as possible.”

The Australian added: “I had a conversation with him and I guess mine was purely around the football and I think he’ll find a really great place here in terms of where he is in his career.

“He obviously wants to play. We’ve already shown that irrespective of age, he’ll get an opportunity here, and the way we play will suit him.

“Certainly with what we have in the next few months and then more importantly what we’re building beyond, I thought he would be a perfect fit.”

Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, applauds the fans after defeating Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Brentford Community Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

When asked if he felt the France under-21 international was fully committed to Spurs, Postecoglou said: “Yes, 100 percent. I am more than 100 percent sure because he took so much time, was so diligent about finding out everything when he made a decision that it’s us.

“He obviously had options and that sort of gave me even more confidence that we are getting the right kind of mentality, the right kind of player.

“He is very ambitious. He’s got a great deal of self-belief and self-confidence. He feels he can reach the top of the game and he has chosen us, which is a great vindication of what we are doing.”

Tel and Danso will both be available for this morning’s match at Anfield, but Micky van de Ven and fellow centre-back Cristian Romero are set to miss out, with Postecoglou taking a “conservative” approach after the duo’s injury absences.

Tottenham are one match away from a League Cup final at Wembley as they seek to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.

Former Celtic boss Postecoglou, in his second season at Tottenham, put himself under pressure earlier in the campaign when he said he “always wins things in my second year”.

But he said Premier League leaders and League Cup holders Liverpool would also be feeling the pressure.

“I don’t think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us about the fixture,” he said. “You’re in a semi-final, particularly a second leg and it’s still very tight.

“It’s a big game for both clubs so you recognise that, you embrace that but ultimately if you want to be successful these are the games you want to be involved in.”