Szoboszlai’s 30-Yard Strike Sends Liverpool Into Carabao Cup Fourth Round

Liverpool advanced to the Carabao Cup’s fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur after making a sweeping 10-player overhaul of the starting lineup. The changes followed a scoreless 0-0 Premier League draw against Fulham, where a visible lack of physical energy prompted a total refresh of the starting team.

“It’s true that I made a lot of changes but I think I needed to do it because we could see the other day that we lacked a bit of energy the other day and we needed fresh legs,” manager Andoni Iraola said after the match. “I am happy because all the players have given us intensity and aggressiveness.”

Trey Nyoni and James McConnell started in midfield, while Rio Ngumoha began on the wing. The three younger players produced demanding physical efforts before needing to be substituted in the second half. Iraola said, “I was happy for [the young players]. Different positions, different demands. But I think the best thing is they were dead when I subbed them.”

Nyoni joined Liverpool’s academy from Leicester City in September 2023 and became one of the youngest players in club history when he made his senior debut in February 2024 at 16 years and 243 days old in an FA Cup tie against Southampton. McConnell made his first-team breakthrough during the 2023–24 season, debuting in a UEFA Europa League match against Toulouse in October 2023 before earning his first senior start three months later.

“Trey [Nyoni] was cramping, Rio [Ngumoha] couldn’t have run a lot more. [James] McConnell the same. When this happens, it’s because you’ve given us what you’ve got,” Iraola added. Ngumoha arrived at Liverpool’s academy in September 2024 after developing through Chelsea’s youth system.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring before Cody Gakpo doubled the lead. Mac Allister joined Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion in June 2023 for an initial £35 million following his 2022 FIFA World Cup victory with Argentina, while Gakpo arrived from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 in a deal worth up to £44 million.

Iraola praised the young players’ competitive edge and direct physical involvement. “They have been very athletic, willingness to win their duels, making their presence felt. I was happy for them,” he said.

Tottenham threatened a second-half comeback when Conor Gallagher pulled a goal back. Substitute Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage in the closing stages with a spectacular 30-yard shot.

The Hungarian midfielder signed from German Bundesliga club RB Leipzig in July 2023 after Liverpool triggered his €70 million (£60.1 million) release clause. “The three goals we scored were very good goals,” Iraola said. “The origin of the first and second goals are also very important for us but the third goal is a worldie, it is outstanding.”

“The thing with Dom is that before shooting, you are trusting he might score. With another player you are thinking it’s maybe too far but with Dom everyone is thinking he might score,” Iraola said.

The League Cup is currently designated as the Carabao Cup under a title sponsorship agreement and is the earliest major domestic trophy awarded during the English football calendar. Liverpool holds the competition record with 10 championships, most recently winning the trophy in February 2024 with a 1-0 extra-time victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

Tottenham Hotspur last won the competition in 2008, defeating Chelsea 2-1 in extra time to secure what remains their most recent major domestic trophy.