Liverpool’s youngsters shone as the Reds saw off Tottenham in the Carabao Cup, with the media praising them and a generally improved performance.
Andoni Iraola guided the Reds to 3-1 win on Tuesday evening, with Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai scoring great goals.
Here is how the media assessed Liverpool’s victory.
Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas both shone
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Trey Nyoni during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Anantaajith Raghuraman of The Athletic feels Iraola will be buoyed by the youngsters thriving, as they did at Bournemouth:
“Andoni Iraola’s three seasons as Bournemouth coach saw him develop a track record of providing the ideal platform for youngsters to flourish. It is what helped them improve season on season, despite selling key players.
“Alex Scott, Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen, Eli Kroupi, Milos Kerkez and most recently Rayan are among the prominent names to have starred under the Spaniard there on the south coast.
“To that extent, the performances of Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas, as well as Rio Ngumoha, the youngest of the quartet in terms of age but most seasoned in terms of senior game time, will offer plenty of encouragement.”
Raghuraman’s colleague, James Pearce, was impressed by Nyoni and Koumas:
“Loads of positives for Liverpool tonight.
“Koumas repaying Iraola’s faith by putting in tireless shift up top. Nyoni so composed, staking claim for bigger role.”
David Lynch assessed Nyoni’s classy showing, says he is “absolutely everything” Iraola wants in the middle of the park:
“Trey Nyoni started the move that led to Cody Gakpo’s goal by picking Omar Marmoush’s pocket then playing forward quickly.
“Absolutely everything Andoni Iraola wants from his midfielders.”
This was an improved Liverpool performance
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring the first goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Mail‘s Lewis Steele felt there was “lots to like” about Liverpool’s display:
“Lots to like there from LFC. First two scorers, Mac Allister and Gakpo, continuing to look reborn under Iraola and proving their (many) doubters wrong.
“Jacquet a Rolls Royce in the making. Can tell why Iraola wanted the energetic Koumas and McConnell to stick around.
“Oh and Mamardashvili was suspect for the Spurs goal but made two excellent saves here.”
Meanwhile, Richard Jolly of the Independent hailed the Reds’ goalscorers, not least Gakpo, who Tottenham targeted in the summer:
“Liverpool progressed because of one they considered selling, in the Dutchman, and another who went public in his gripes that they have not done enough to keep him, in Alexis Mac Allister, with a win that was clinched by Dominik Szoboszlai’s latest wonder goal.
“His spectacular long-range half-volley rewarded Andoni Iraola for his policy of holding some of his premier players back and making a team showing 10 changes team stronger with his substitutions.
“The committed display of a youthful side was an endorsement of the Basque.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Alexis Mac Allister (L) after scoring the third goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Alexis Mac Allister (L) after scoring the third goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Telegraph‘s Dominic King called this a big night for Iraola, once again focusing on youth:
“De Zerbi could not believe his bad luck; he came up against a Liverpool team that had made 10 changes from last Saturday against Fulham and were invigorated for it.
“The exuberance of novices such as Rio Ngumoha and the terrific Lewis Koumas provided the spark for Andoni Iraola’s most enjoyable night.
“Liverpool were everything they were not against Fulham.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The Mirror‘s Ben Husband thought it was another good outing from Mac Allister who, like Gakpo, is much improved from last season:
“After going public with his ‘sadness’ about not being offered a new contract, Mac Allister knew his performances would immediately be under scrutiny.
“Just a day after that very open press conference, the Argentine scored against Atletico Madrid. And as one of the experienced members of a much-changed XI, he provided a moment of real quality to break the deadlock.
“His season won’t be judged on performances in the early round of the Carabao Cup, but after a difficult 25/26, the early signs are that under Iraola, Mac Allister is beginning to rediscover his form.”
BBC Sport‘s Aadam Patel liked the energy on show from Liverpool – something that hasn’t been evident often enough so far this season:
“As expected, Iraola made a number of changes for Liverpool’s third game in less than a week at Anfield and he was rewarded with an energetic display from a largely second-string side…
“It was a solid evening for Liverpool who will travel to Bournemouth in the league this weekend – where Iraola will be reunited with his former club – with a spring in their step as they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season.”
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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