lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandCody Gakpo (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring
Cody Gakpo (right) celebrates with team-mates after scoring
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo – whose futures appeared in doubt this summer – both scored as Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham.
The pair were two of last season’s most maligned players but are among the best performers so far in this stuttering campaign which shows glimpses of catching fire only for it to be doused by performances like Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham.
There was even a confidence-boosting display from second-choice goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili, whose quick reactions prevented three certain goals, after his quality had been questioned – his failure to deal with the corner from which Conor Gallager headed in was the one blemish.
But with Andoni Iraola’s side weathering a storm towards the end, Dominik Szoboszlai came off the bench to spectacularly volley home from 25 yards.
Tottenham, whose only goals this season have been in this competition after putting five past Championship side Charlton, remain winless against top-flight opposition as their miserable run at Anfield was extended to one win in 31 visits and none in 15 years.
And if Mohammed Kudus, making his first start since January, continues to miss chances like the one from four yards with the score at 1-0 in the first half there is unlikely to be any improvement.