Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas has admitted his side must beat a "very, very hard opponent" if they are to once again reach the Carabao Cup final. The Reds are hoping to lift the trophy for the second season running, but now need to get the better of Tottenham over two legs to reach the Wembley final.

The Hunger for SuccessLiverpool, with their sights set firmly on retaining the Carabao Cup, are gearing up for a thrilling semi-final showdown against Tottenham

Paul Merson has issued a very controversial claim after the Tottenham victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas has revealed the squad's goals this season as they prepare to face Tottenham in the EFL Cup Semi-Final on Wednesday night.

Follow live coverage as Tottenham Hotspur face Liverpool in the EFL cup. Liverpool are the reigning champions of the competition following an extra time victory over Chelsea at Wembley last term, Virgil van Dijk scoring the decisive goal to secure a record-extending tenth win of this domestic cup for the Reds.

The Premier League leaders are conceding too many goals in recent weeks and were vulnerable against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup semi-final

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou ... escaping a second yellow card moments earlier for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas on a night also memorable for the first in-stadium VAR ...

Arnold and Andy Robertson are being rested against Tottenham tonight. The two full-backs have played in the vast majority of the Reds' games in recent weeks owing to injuries to their understudies, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas.

Arne Slot insisted there was “no debate” that the foul Lucas Bergvall committed on Kostas Tsimikas should have earned the Tottenham teenager a second yellow card minutes before he scored the winner against Liverpool.

To add insult to injury (pun intended), Tsimikas was off the pitch when Bergvall scored. You can understand Liverpool's frustration. It's rare to see Arne Slot raging or booked for harassing the referees but that's exactly what has just happened.

Tottenham host Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final this evening with both teams hoping to gain an advantage over the other ahead of next month’s return fixture.

Liverpool struggled in the first hour against Nottingham Forest but ended strongly after a double substitution - those alterations should form the basis of Arne Slot's team selection on Saturday