Szoboszlai stunner seals Liverpool win over Tottenham

Liverpool secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham at Anfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai providing the decisive moment with a spectacular stoppage-time strike.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo had already put Liverpool two goals ahead before Conor Gallagher gave Tottenham hope with a close-range header. The visitors then pushed for an equaliser, but Giorgi Mamardashvili produced an important save to deny Omar Marmoush.

Liverpool eventually settled the contest in the 90th minute when Szoboszlai collected the ball from Cody Gakpo and unleashed a powerful effort from around 35 yards. The shot flew into the top-right corner beyond Martin Dubravka to complete the 3-1 victory.

After the match, Szoboszlai explained that the quality of his first touch gave him the confidence to shoot immediately.

“As soon as I had a good touch after Cody Gakpo passed me the ball I wasn't thinking longer, I just took the shot and it went in,” he said.

“You know when you had a good shot, you feel it. I thought it was going in the middle but I saw it go to the right. Everything was perfect.”

The Liverpool midfielder also revealed that he considers the strike one of the best goals he has scored.

“I would say it's in my top five,” Szoboszlai said.

Liverpool take control at Anfield

Tottenham had the first major opportunity of the match when Lucas Bergvall found himself in a promising position, but Mamardashvili kept out his close-range effort with his legs.

Liverpool made Tottenham pay for the missed chance in the 21st minute. Mac Allister found the net with a curling finish that gave Liverpool the lead.

Tottenham continued to threaten, with Mohammed Kudus failing to convert a good opportunity after Destiny Udogie created the opening. Liverpool remained more clinical, though, and doubled their advantage nine minutes after half-time.

Gakpo finished off an excellent Liverpool move with a powerful effort in front of the Kop, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead.

The result also came after Liverpool had made 10 changes from their previous side, with Lewis Koumas and Trey Nyoni among those given an opportunity.

Tottenham respond but Szoboszlai has the final say

Tottenham refused to disappear from the contest after Gakpo's goal. Gallagher pulled one back in the 69th minute with a close-range header, giving the visitors a route back into the game.

Marmoush then came close to levelling the score, only for Mamardashvili to make a crucial save in the 86th minute.

Liverpool survived the late pressure before Szoboszlai produced the moment that ended Tottenham's hopes.

The Hungarian midfielder struck a bouncing ball first time from distance, sending it beyond Dubravka and into the top corner in the first minute of stoppage time.

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola described the effort as a “worldie”, highlighting the confidence involved in Szoboszlai attempting a shot from such a distance.

“Three goals we scored were very good goals; the origin of the goals for the first and second ones was also very important for us. The third one is a worldie. With other players you are thinking it is too far. With Dom you are thinking he might score,” Iraola said.

Szoboszlai pleased with Liverpool's progress

For Szoboszlai, the result was about more than his spectacular finish. Liverpool also progressed to the next round after giving several players an opportunity to make an impression.

“It was very important [to win],” he said.

“We are in the next round and we take every competition very seriously. I'm very happy to be in the next round and very happy for the guys who had the chance to play and who didn't maybe have the chance during the season until now.”

Szoboszlai also praised the team's collective effort and acknowledged that Liverpool are still adapting to changes within the squad and coaching setup.

“I think everyone showed they are ready to play,” he added.

“It's a lot of new things, but we have to get used to this and to each other and to the new manager. We need to build a good team.”

The victory therefore gave Liverpool progression in the Carabao Cup and a memorable individual highlight for Szoboszlai, whose long-range strike proved to be the defining moment of the night.

SportsLigue