Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham: Szoboszlai stunner caps EFL Cup win for Iraola's men

Dominik Szoboszlai scored an incredible 30-yard volley to cap Liverpool's 3-1 win over struggling Tottenham in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Match Report 

Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo had put the Reds in a commanding position at Anfield, only for Spurs – who saw Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Omar Marmoush and Savio pass up huge chances – to pull one back through Conor Gallagher.

But any Liverpool nerves were erased in the first minute of second-half stoppage time, as substitute Szoboszlai took advantage of a bouncing ball to send a jaw-dropping effort swerving into the top-right corner. 

With Liverpool starting slowly, Spurs passed up a glorious chance to take the lead in the 11th minute. Bergvall looked certain to score when he arrived onto Destiny Udogie's centre, but despite Giorgi Mamardashvili diving early, he managed to repel the ball with his legs.

Two youngsters combined for Liverpool's first chance as Rio Ngumoha slid in Lewis Koumas, whose angled drive was blocked by Martin Dubravka, but it was an experienced head who put them in front in the 21st minute.

Ngumoha was involved again, but when Udogie got a foot in to prod the ball away from the 18-year-old, Mac Allister swept a beautiful, first-time finish into the top-right corner. 

Spurs should have gone into half-time level as Kudus somehow flicked another Udogie delivery over the crossbar, and Gakpo put Liverpool 2-0 up nine minutes into the second half, finding the far corner after a slick exchange of passes.

An enterprising Marmoush run teed up Kudus, who was thwarted by Mamardashvili, but Spurs did get a goal back when Mateus Fernandes' deep corner was nodded home by the unmarked Gallagher.

Mamardashvili made another sprawling save to deny Marmoush and Savio skewed wide as Spurs attempted to force penalties in teeming rain, but Szoboszlai had the final say, with his goal worth the price of admission alone.

Gakpo strikes again in favourite competition 

Szoboszlai stole the headlines right at the death, but it was Gakpo's goal that gave Liverpool the cushion they needed in the second half, and he just cannot get enough of the EFL Cup. 

The Netherlands international, who almost left for Manchester City in the summer transfer window, has now scored 10 goals in the competition since the start of 2023-24 – the most by any player in that time.

Mac Allister's future has also been called into question in recent weeks, with the player himself saying he was "very sad" to have not been offered a new contract in a press conference. He showed his worth on Tuesday, assisting Gakpo following his opener.

As for Spurs, they are now winless on their last 18 trips to Anfield in all competitions (D5 L13), since a 2-0 Premier League win under Harry Redknapp back in May 2011. 

Roberto De Zerbi's side did at least score against top-flight opposition for the first time in 2026-27, and they actually had more shots (17 to 16), shots on target (six to five) and expected goals (2.3 xG to 1.53) than Liverpool.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

3' Free-kick to Spurs after a Kerkez handball

8' It is raining heavily at the scene

12' Good save from Mamardashvili!

16' Kumas's shot is saved by Dubravka

21' Mac Allister hits it first time and it flies straight into the top corner! Liverpool 1-0 Tottenham

27' Free-kick to Spurs in a dangerous position

30' Corner to Spurs... Koumas heads clear at the near post

33' Kudus misses a glorious chance!

37' Match Event for Liverpool vs Tottenham

40' Yellow Card! Jeremie Frimpong booked

41' Yellow Card! Omar Marmoush booked

54' GOAL! Gakpo fires a thunderous shot! Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (Cody Gakpo)

56' Highlight from Liverpool vs Tottenham

57' Standing ovation for Andy Robertson as is subbed on

60' Kudus's shot is blocked

62' Highlight from Liverpool vs Tottenham

69' Gallagher attacks the corner and finds the net!! Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham

74' Barcola on, Ngumoha off

86' Another big save from Mamardashvili

89' Isak shot blocked and he wants a penalty for handball!

91' GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham (Dominik Szoboszlai)

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Joe Gomez, Gakpo, Araujo, Mac Allister, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas, Rio Ngumoha

Subs: Alisson, Endo, Isak, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Barcola, Luke Chambers, Víctor Muñoz, Jérémy Jacquet

Tottenham XI: Dubravka, Adarabioyo, Bentancur, Marcos Senesi, Omar Marmoush, Gallagher, Mohammed Kudus, Udojie, Tel, Gray, Bergvall

Subs: Ben Davies, Robertson, Maddison, Solanke, Jan Paul van Hecke, Van de Ven, Kinsky, Sávio, Mateus Fernandes