Dominik Szoboszlai scored a superb goal for Liverpool against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, while Joe Gomez only managed 45 minutes of action after returning from injury
Conor Gallagher of Tottenham under pressure from Joe Gomez of Liverpool.
Conor Gallagher of Tottenham under pressure from Joe Gomez of Liverpool.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Joe Gomez coming off at half-time during the Reds' 3-1 win over Tottenham in the Carabao Cup was a pre-planned change.
Gomez was playing his first minutes since the injury that he sustained in pre-season, having missed around a month and a half of action on the sidelines. As a result, his involvement was managed carefully by Liverpool, with no chances taken on his first appearance back in the team.
"Joe has been doing the recovery process very well and with him it made sense," Iraola said. "It wasn’t set, but the plan was not a lot more than 45, yes."
Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo both found the back of the net and impressed for Liverpool, while Lewis Koumas was a strong performer, putting in a huge shift up top.
"I think the three goals we scored honestly were very good goals," Iraola continued.
"The origin of the goals, the first one and the second one are also very important for us. But the third goal obviously is a worldie, it’s outstanding.
Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola applauds the fans following the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north west England on September 15, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Andoni Iraola applauds the Liverpool fans following the Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
"The thing with Dom is, before shooting, you are trusting he might score. With other players, maybe you are thinking, ‘It’s too far.’ With Dom, everyone is thinking he might score.
"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 we lacked a little bit of energy, we needed fresh legs.
"I’m happy because all the players have given us intensity, have given us aggressiveness. I think we’ve been good in a lot of parts of the game.
"And also happy because we’ve deserved the reward to win the game and to have earned the right to be in the next round."
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Liverpool will discover the opponent that it will face next in the Carabao Cup following Manchester United's game with Brighton on Wednesday.
Following that match, the draw for the fourth round will take place. Liverpool's tie will take place during the week commencing October 26, with more players like Koumas and Trey Nyoni likely to be handed another chance to impress then.
The Reds travel to Bournemouth this weekend, when Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and others will return to the starting XI. There is then a three-week international break.