No excuses: Liverpool defeat would be CRIMINAL after latest result

The opportunity that Arne Slot has manufactured for this Liverpool side this season is huge.

Leading the way in the Champions League and Premier League, whilst still in contention for the domestic cups is a fantastic position to be in at this stage of the season.

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Especially, in the context that Liverpool spent a mere £12m in the summer transfer window, attacking the season with largely the same team as 12 months ago, the Dutchman has done a remarkable job in his first six months on the job.

But, while it seems logical that the Reds will finish the season with some kind of silverware to show off, we cannot take our eye off the ball or the platform the team has built for itself could very easily fall apart.

Liverpool have to overturn Tottenham EFL Cup deficit

When Liverpool fans learnt that the EFL Cup semi-final would be against Tottenham, many sighed in relief as the prospect of facing Newcastle and Arsenal would be postponed until the final.

Tottenham have been in disarray all season long and after having smashed them in their own backyard last month 6-3 before Christmas, it looked incredibly likely that this tie would be a walk in the park, especially given that the second leg would be at Anfield.

Arne Slot set the team up in the first leg for a big performance to hopefully put one foot in Wembley stadium at the halfway point in the contest, only for the Reds to fail to make their breakthroughs count and to find themselves 1-0 down.

Bergvall controversially scored while Kostas Tsimikas was off the pitch receiving treatment, and the challenge that injured the Greek probably should've resulted in a second yellow card for the goalscorer. It didn't, so Liverpool have some ground to make up.

The overwhelming feeling within the fanbase was one of disappointment, but also hope because the prospect of overturning the result would be huge, with the home crowd willing the team on. Now, the pressure is firmly on to secure back-to-back EFL Cup finals.

Tottenham have just lost 2-1 to Leicester City at home, a result reflective of the win Ipswich were able to secure in the same stadium earlier on in the Premier League season.

That's now six losses in their last seven matches in the competition and no wins in that time. Of course, the team is riddled with injuries, which is a valid excuse for a loss here or there, but we are now at the point where Ange Postecoglu's job is on the line for failing to adapt the team's tactics to the personnel they have available to play.

Liverpool on the other hand has had two losses all season, across all competitions. Arne Slot is tactically sound and the team has a level of experience, grit and naus embedded in its heart. Make no mistake about it, Liverpool simply have to beat this Tottenham side.

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