Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup final after a thumping 4-0 win against Tottenham on Thursday night – with Arne Slot’s men now looking forward to a Wembley final against Newcastle.
Arne Slot’s men have enjoyed a terrific season after going six points clear at the top of the Premier League, and the Dutchman has a chance to win his first silverware of the season after easily overcoming their first leg deficit.
The Reds ran riot thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk against a flat Tottenham side as they look forward to the final on March 16.
Mirror Football has taken a look at the biggest news, rumours and gossip surrounding Liverpool after their semi-final clash
Neville’s prediction backfires
Gary Neville has never been a fan of Liverpool after years of a bitter rivalry while playing for Manchester United – and that has only grown after poking fun at Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher during TV debates.
But the broadcaster went for a bold prediction when asked who he thought would prevail between Liverpool and Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals – with the ex-Manchester United star left with egg on his face after saying he had a “feeling” Ange Postecoglou’s men would get the job done.
“I think Tottenham,” he said. “I think Tottenham are going to get a draw. I don’t know how they’re going to get a draw at Anfield, but I feel like it’s going to be an emotional, mad night where something happens.
“Postecoglou said earlier on in the season… I’m maybe not hanging my hat on what he’s saying entirely, but I’ve just got a feeling Tottenham…I’ve got a feeling Tottenham could win the Carabao Cup this season.
“And I’ve got a feeling that, to be fair, they’re always going to have to come through a moment like this. It will be absolute Liverpool favourites, but I feel somehow Tottenham are going to get a draw by hook or by crook.”
Reds told they can afford to lose Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool are still sweating on their trio of key players who could leave on free transfers this summer and are no closer to agreeing deals for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Van Dijk looks the most likely to stay out of the trio but Salah has been heavily linked with a move to the Middle East after a stellar season at Anfield – which he has repeatedly claimed is his last at the club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, has been strongly linked with a switch to Real Madrid and his future is still up in the air after picking up an injury in the 2-0 win over Bournemouth last week.
Former Red Stan Collymoore believes losing Alexander-Arnold wouldn’t be a “huge loss” and claimed he was replaceable at Anfield.
He told William Hill Vegas: “Trent isn’t a great defender, but he’s a fantastic footballer, and a league like La Liga would suit him perfectly. Real Madrid would allow him to drift into midfield, have more time on the ball, and play to his strengths. If he goes there, you couldn’t begrudge him — it’s Real Madrid!
“If Liverpool were to lose Trent, they could find a right-back who gets into attacking positions, so I wouldn’t say his departure would be a huge loss. The bigger issue would be losing Van Dijk. Van Dijk won’t want to cause problems — he just wants the right deal — but Liverpool need to prepare for the future. They should be getting someone like Jarell Quansah up to speed, but there are still question marks over him.”
Gerrard tipped for new job
There were once hopes that club legend Steven Gerrard would one day manage Liverpool, but after two failed spells at Aston Villa and Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, that prospect now looks more unlikely by the day.
Gerrard left Al-Ettifaq last month after 18 months in charge, but could now be in line for a sensational return to Rangers – where he impressed in his first managerial stint – according to ex-Gers boss Ally McCoist.
The talkSport pundit said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Gerrard ended back at Ibrox after the huge sucess he enjoyed, winning the Scottish Premiership title with the club in 2021.
Rangers are currently 13 points behind rivals Celtic in the Scottish top flight, with boss Philippe Clement facing increasing pressure.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if Steven Gerrard came back to Ibrox,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s obviously held in really high regard by the supporters because of the league title he won, and his next job is going to be vitally important for him.
“Things haven’t gone according to plan for him after he left Rangers. A little bit like Frank Lampard going to Coventry – his next appointment was really important to him as well, so we’ll see what Steven ends up choosing to do with his career.”
Sky Sports deal
