Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield on Thursday night in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Reds need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in order to reach the final at Wembley on March 16 with Newcastle awaiting Arne Slot’s men should they be successful.
The Magpies overcame Arsenal in the other semi-final, with Eddie Howe’s men beating the Gunners 2-0 on Wednesday night to secure a 4-0 victory on aggregate.
The Carabao Cup is one of several competitions the Reds have put themselves in a strong position to win this season, but could history repeat itself for Liverpool against Tottenham?
The Premier League leaders are expected to reach the final, given their recent form and the fact the match is being played in front of a packed Anfield crowd.
Slot is determined to bring his team to Wembley next month, admitting a personal reason for wanting to do so.
Arne Slot wants to take his Liverpool team to Wembley
Liverpool have a strong history with the EFL Cup as the Reds are the record holders and defending champions of the competition, having won it 10 times.
This is one reason why the current Liverpool squad will be determined to reach Wembley on Thursday night to continue this, however, Slot has an extra personal mission for wanting to travel to London in March as the Dutch coach has never been to the national stadium of England.
“It cannot be underestimated,” Slot said of the chance to reach Wembley via The Guardian. “Maybe some of these players are already used to Wembley, but it would be my first time to go to Wembley.
“If you go to England people are talking about Wembley as an iconic stadium, especially if it’s a final. So you can be sure that we as a team want to win that game tomorrow to go to Wembley.”
Slot has already been successful in a cup final having delivered Feyenoord the KNVB Cup during his last season with the Dutch club.
However, this one would be special for the 46-year-old, although the Reds still have to get past Tottenham.
What to expect from Liverpool vs Tottenham’s Carabao Cup contest
Football fans will not be expecting a 0-0 on Thursday night as the two teams are two of the most entertaining in England, which was evident when they met in the Premier League in December.
Liverpool are without Trent Alexander-Arnold for the contest, while Ange Postecoglou continues to deal with multiple injury issues within his squad. This has had a major impact on recent results and it could continue at Anfield.
Slot’s men are expected to reach the final of the Carabao Cup but it will not be easy if Tottenham show up.
The North London caused the Reds problems in the first leg and will set up to counter-attack against the Merseyside club as Slot’s team pushes forward in search of a goal.
Reaching the Carabao Cup final will mean a lot to both clubs for different reasons and it can be expected that both will not let the opportunity pass by easily.
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