Tottenham v Liverpool will be two teams with ‘clear identity’, says Arne Slot

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot has to put a disappointing 2-2 draw with Manchester United behind him for now, as he prepares his team for a League Cup semi-final, first-leg clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Jan 8.

The Reds were on their way to a 2-1 victory at Anfield over their rivals last weekend, before United winger Amad Diallo equalised in the 80th minute to share the points.

With that English Premier League fixture done and dusted, Slot will have to focus on taking another step closer to retaining the Cup won by Jurgen Klopp last season.

“What we expect is two teams with a clear identity. That’s what most people expect to see,” he said on Jan 7, when asked about the threat of Tottenham.

“Both teams trying to force it on the other. Large parts of the (Spurs) game (a 6-3 win) two weeks ago we could show our identity, but they showed how good of a team they are.

“Scoring three goals against us is a big compliment.

“I think we were all disappointed (about the draw with United). Parts of our game we weren’t completely happy with, and there were more things we could have done better.”

Liverpool most recently won the League Cup in 2024 and 2022, and have 10 triumphs in all.

The route to the final will not be easy, as they have to face two giant London clubs in Tottenham and possibly Arsenal as well, with the Gunners in action against Newcastle United in the other semi-final.

The Reds have faced Premier League teams in every round, thrashing West Ham United 5-1 in the third round before narrow wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and Southampton.

One positive for Slot is that his players have been excellent playing away from home lately, having won their last four games in all competitions on the road.

Significantly, the huge 6-3 win over Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before Christmas has set things up nicely for this clash, so there is always a chance that they can build on that victory.

Joe Gomez is the only injury absentee for the match. Dominik Szoboszlai was sorely missed in midfield against United due to illness, and Slot revealed that the Hungarian is still doubtful.

The Liverpool boss also shared a bit about the club’s transfer plans for this January window.

He said: “We always look at the market, if there’s a chance this club always brings something in. Joe Gomez injury means we go from four centre-backs to three. But I’m very happy with the team.”

Tottenham, meanwhile, have more issues in their treatment room than their opponents.

Manager Ange Postecoglou, who has vowed to win a trophy in his second season in charge, could be without Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies.

Radu Dragusin and Archie Gray have been struggling with sickness, while Richarlison, Mikey Moore and Wilson Odobert all remain out due to injury or illness.

Rodrigo Bentancur, however, is available again following suspension.

Spurs head into the match on the back of a 2-1 loss to Newcastle, their fourth straight league game without a win that puts them in 12th in the standings.

Postecoglou desperately needs to win a trophy for Spurs, whose last major honour was in this competition in 2008.

A run to the semi-finals is already an improvement, as Tottenham have failed to even make it past the second and third rounds in the last two seasons.

Off the pitch, Spurs confirmed on Jan 7 that they have triggered a one-year extension in captain Son Heung-min’s contract, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026.

The South Korean forward has been with Tottenham since 2015, scoring 169 goals and providing 90 assists in 431 appearances in all competitions for the London side.

Son is in the Premier League’s top 20 scorers of all time and is the competition’s most prolific Asian player ever. REUTERS