How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool (2R) looks back at Andrew Robertson of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool (2R) looks back at Andrew Robertson of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield (Image: 2026 Simon Stacpoole/Offside)
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Liverpool returned to winning ways by beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night and maintained their unbeaten start under their new head coach Andoni Iraola.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for the Reds midway through the first half before Cody Gakpo doubled their lead after the break.
And while Conor Gallagher halved the deficit, Dominik Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time piledriver clinched the victory to book Liverpool's progression to the fourth round.
With Iraola rotating his side, making 10 changes from the team that were held to a goalless draw by Fulham, youngsters Lewis Koumas, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell all impressed after being handed their first starts of the season.
As always, the ECHO was in attendance at Anfield to witness the Reds' progression in the League Cup. And while we provided our usual level of coverage, here’s how the national media viewed proceedings...
It was not lost on Paul Joyce of The Times that Spurs were punished by one that got anyway as Gakpo and the Liverpool's young guns gave Iraola plenty to smile about.
He wrote: “Missed opportunities have become the theme of Tottenham Hotspur’s early season toils. How apt then, that they were punished by the one that got away.
“Roberto De Zerbi had pursued Cody Gakpo all summer as he sought to bolster his squad and yet, despite splurging £320million on other signings, failed to progress a deal for the Liverpool winger.
“The Tottenham manager might have known what was coming just after the interval, then, as Gakpo chopped on to his right foot and bent a finish into the corner… Just like the weather at Anfield, when it rains, it pours for De Zerbi.
“The Liverpool head coach, Andoni Iraola, had rather more to smile about with Dominik Szoboszlai giving the scoreline a layer of gloss in added time with a sensational volley from 30 yards. The midfielder ran away tapping his ear as he celebrated, a pointed gesture which suggested he has been aware of the negative chatter about his recent displays…
“While the majesty of that Howitzer left jaws dropping, this was also a night when Iraola would have found the hard yards put in by a young team containing ten changes more pleasing.”
Andy Hunter of The Guardian wrote how De Zerbi’s toothless team were made to pay ‘with a quality of finishing that he can only dream of.’
He wrote: “Tottenham scored and Roberto De Zerbi eulogised the quality at his disposal, yet try telling Spurs’ suffering away support there was consolation to be found at Anfield. Liverpool toyed with De Zerbi by advancing into round four with a quality of finishing that he can only dream of.
“While the Spurs head coach talked a good game and his players played a pretty one in harmless areas, Liverpool produced the only effective one. Alexis Mac Allister promoted his claims for a new contract for the second midweek in succession with an excellent strike and Cody Gakpo continued his fine early season form with a smart second plus an assist. But both were overshadowed by Dominik Szoboszlai’s stupendous 25-yard finish in stoppage time…
“Spurs would not escape a third time. In stoppage time, Szoboszlai let Gakpo’s flick roll off his chest before thumping a fabulous shot beyond Martin Dubravka from long range. He celebrated by pointing to his ear, perhaps in response to the criticism his display against Fulham had attracted. The Liverpool vice-captain’s concerns pale in comparison to De Zerbi’s and his toothless team.”
In the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele was impressed at how both Mac Allister and Gakpo continue to look players reborn under Iraola - even if Szoboszlai’s wonder strike stole the show.
He wrote: “Szoboszlai will take the acclaim as he often does but this victory equally belonged to his team-mates and the supporting cast after Andoni Iraola made 10 changes from the side that looked lethargic and devoid of ideas in a 0-0 weekend draw with Fulham.
“The main architects of the win were two players who have points to prove at the club. One feels unwanted amid a contract stand-off, the other the opposite after a summer departure was kiboshed – but Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo combined to lethal effect here.
“First up was Mac Allister, the Argentine who last week revealed he was 'very sad' with the club for not putting a new contract on the table for him and saying they were not in a position to extend his deal at the club.
“He has talked the talk but is walking the walk, this his second goal in the two starts since then after a starring role and strike against Atletico Madrid six days ago.
“Sadly for the midfielder and his camp, including father Carlos, it appears Liverpool are benefiting from the uncertainty around him. He is playing with a point to prove and this frustrated version of Mac Allister is markedly better than the sloppy, lethargic version of last term.
“Then there is Gakpo. Had the summer window panned out ever so slightly differently, the Dutchman would be at Manchester City or Spurs right now, with both clubs at different times confident of signing him during a saga that felt like it was destined to end with an exit.
“But Liverpool ultimately pulled the plug on those moves and, like his fellow goal-scorer, Gakpo is flying once more, with two goals and four assists in his first five appearances of the season.
“Both cases should serve as a reminder to fans to not write off players so quickly. Neither were anywhere near their best last term but both have looked reborn under Iraola.”
And finally, Richard Jolly of The Independent also focused on Gakpo’s efforts as Tottenham were made to regret missing out on the Dutchman.
He wrote: “If Tottenham had their way, Cody Gakpo would have been scoring goals for them by now. Instead, he scored against them and even as they ended one barren streak, another looks set to continue.
“It was quintessential Gakpo, in the manner of the goal, the right-footed finish angled across the goalkeeper. More pertinently, it felt typical Tottenham. A hideous start to the season was compounded as a club without domestic silverware for 18 years were eliminated from one of the two competitions they could have designs on winning. They have had few returns on their colossal spending spree but suffered at the hands of the man they tried to buy.
“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. Tottenham’s defeat, with a lack of urgency for too long and a needless decision to bench most of their big-money buys, was an indictment of Roberto De Zerbi…
“Yet the evening ended with Gakpo wearing the Liverpool armband, sliding on the sodden Anfield turf, celebrating Szoboszlai’s magnificent strike. Gakpo can be glad he stayed, and Liverpool that they kept him. Tottenham can only add to their list of regrets.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrate 2nd goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 9: Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool celebrate 2nd goal during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield on September 9, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)