Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: EFL Cup Showdown Preview & Betting Insights
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on February 6, 2025 in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, where they must leverage their attacking power and home field benefit to reverse their 1-0 first leg loss and make it to the final. Tottenham must protect their lead by combining strong defense with swift counterattacks. The upcoming match analysis covers the current team forms alongside the key players and tactical approaches while also examining betting prospects for this major encounter.
Match Preview: Can Liverpool’s Anfield Fortress Deliver?
Liverpool’s Relentless Attack
Liverpool’s Anfield dominance is no secret. In their 15-match unbeaten streak at home which resulted in 13 victories and 2 draws Liverpool managed to score two goals or more in each match. The attacking trio at Liverpool consisting of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz has consistently dominated defenses while Gakpo achieved 11 of his 15 total season goals at home.
Arne Slot’s men thrive under pressure. Despite beginning the season with initial struggles, they’ve climbed to Premier League leaders position and secured first place in their Champions League group. Salah demonstrated his precision by scoring two goals from seven shots on target during their 2-0 win against Bournemouth.
Tottenham’s Defensive Resurgence
The first-leg victory for Tottenham hinged on their team’s defensive discipline. Throughout eight games since December they managed four clean sheets including their determined victory against Brentford with a 2-0 scoreline. Pending clearance new signing Kevin Danso may strengthen Tottenham’s defense yet the team still faces problems with Premier League inconsistency.
Ange Postecoglou’s team achieves their gameplay with rapid transitions paired with set-piece strategies. Pape Matar Sarr’s late goals and Son Heung-min’s creativity make them dangerous on the break. However, their high defensive line could be exploited by Liverpool’s pace.
Team Form and Statistical Deep Dive
Liverpool’s Red-Hot Momentum
- Recent Form: DWWWLW (5 wins in 6 games)
- Goals Scored: 13 in last 6 matches (2.16 per game)
- Key Stat: Scored in 100% of their last 20 matches.
Liverpool’s midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch controls games with relentless pressing and precise passing. Their 51% possession against Bournemouth masked a ruthless efficiency: 7 shots on target yielded 2 goals.
Tottenham’s Mixed Bag
- Recent Form: LLWLWW (3 losses in 6 games)
- Goals Conceded: 9 goals throughout their last 6 matches
- Key Stat: The team had an average of 3.67 goals scored in their last 6 games.
The shaky performance of Spurs was concealed by Vitaly Janelt’s own goal and Sarr’s late strike despite Brentford’s 20-13 shot advantage.
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Tactical Battle
Liverpool’s High-Pressing Game
Slot uses a 4-3-3 formation to restrict opponents within their defensive half. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s side running and Salah’s diagonal runs establish numerical superiority for Liverpool on their right side. Gakpo’s dynamic runs between defensive lines break apart center-backs which allows space for Díaz to operate on the left side.
Weakness: Liverpool’s high defensive line creates vulnerability to counterattacks. The high defensive line of Liverpool allowed Nottingham Forest to win 1-0 at Anfield this season.
Tottenham’s Counterattacking Strategy
Postecoglou deploys a 4-2-3-1 structure which prioritizes quick transitions. Son, alongside Dejan Kulusevski, extends defensive boundaries laterally while Richarlison uses his strength to engage center-backs. Sarr and Bentancur’s energy in midfield is critical for breaking up play.
Weakness: Spurs’ full-backs (Porro and Spence) often push too high, leaving gaps for Salah and Díaz to exploit.
Predicted Lineups and Key Players
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz
Tottenham (5-4-1): Vicario; Porro, Gray, Davies, Spence, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Son; Richarlison
Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur: Betting Tips and Odds Analysis
GSB Zambia’s betting platform offers an appealing football betting service with broad market selections and attractive odds.
For bettors looking to capitalize on this match, the odds favor Liverpool heavily, as shown on the GSB platform. Here are the key betting odds:
- Liverpool Win: 1.25
- Draw: 7.20
- Tottenham Win: 10.00
Historical Context: Rivalry Reignited
From 2020 to now Liverpool has won three out of five cup competition matches against Tottenham and their EFL Cup victory in 2021 with a final score of 2-1 sealed their win for the trophy. The Spurs team has not won at Anfield since 2011 because of the atmosphere.
Final Prediction: Goals Galore at Anfield
The combination of Liverpool’s attacking options and the intense support from Anfield fans will overpower Tottenham’s defensive setup. The Reds will likely put early pressure on Tottenham as Salah and Gakpo score both of their first-half goals together. Spurs’ Sarr will capitalize on a defensive error, but Díaz seals the win late.
Predicted Score: Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham (Aggregate: 3-2)
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