Four things we learned as Liverpool booked Cup final spot

MASTERCLASS: Liverpool manager Arne Slot has filled the shoes left by Jurgen Klopp as he stirs the Merseyside team into the Carabao Cup final.

Arne Slot is on target for a trophy in his first season – and he’s doing it his own way.

Pretty much every pundit and every journalist predicted that replacing Jurgen Klopp was going to be a tough old task.

Maybe we were influenced by the way that Manchester United have struggled since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, or by what has happened at Arsenal since Arsene Wenger’s departure.

But Slot has proved absolutely everybody wrong. His Liverpool side are outstanding in possession – but even better out of it. They way they persistently won the ball back from Spurs, making it impossible for the visitors to get out of their own half, was a masterclass in its own right. Not to mention the four goals in a 4-0 victory.

The truth is, Slot’s Liverpool are blowing everyone away and the Dutch coach is now on target to win a trophy just seven months into his first season (as well as sitting top of the Premier League, of course). Not even Jurgen managed that – and you have to go back to Rafa Benitez to find a Liverpool manager who did so. Newcastle will be no easy opponents, but Liverpool must surely be favourites at Wembley on Sunday 16 March.

Confidence man Gakpo is now almost as important as Salah to Liverpool 

Cody Gakpo may have been a slow burner at Liverpool, but two years after arriving from PSV he is finally showing his true quality. The Dutchman’s first half goal against Tottenham was his 16th of an excellent season, with 13 of those strikes coming at Anfield. No wonder the Kop loves him. 

Playing on the left but cutting in, the 25-year-old’s technique and eye for goal are now a crucial part of Liverpool’s tactical plan. Long gone are the days when he appeared to lack confidence and sometimes drifted through games. Now he is almost as important as Mo Salah in Arne Slot’s side. His goal was an excellent first-time finish, head over the ball, and that's seven in a row at home in all competitions.

Trophy chances are falling away for Spurs despite Ange’s promise 

Ange Postecoglou kept his critics at bay in a recent press conference by saying: “I always win a trophy in my second season.” If you make a statement like that, then you have to live up to it; and his Spurs team simply couldn’t do so at Anfield. In fact, they were nowhere near.

Postecoglou's side played an outstanding match in the first leg in North London, winning 1-0, but Liverpool dominated this one, leaving Tottenham looking second best and still haunted by a trophy drought that goes back to 2008.

Not even the inclusion of new signings Kevin Danso (who lost Van Dijk for Liverpool's fourth goal) and Mathys Tel (who was quiet after coming on as a substitute in the first half) could change the momentum of the game, and Tottenham now have a big job on their hands to live up to Postecoglou’s promise.

They do have two more opportunities to win silverware, in the FA Cup and in the Europa League. But an away tie at Aston Villa in the former on Sunday is a big ask just days after the emotion of a 4-0 semi-final drubbing at Anfield.

Conor Bradley is shaping up well to be Trent's long-term replacement 

Northern Ireland captain Bradley has to make the most of his chances when chosen ahead of Alexander-Arnold, and once again he took that opportunity against Tottenham.

Having produced a memorable performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier in the season, the 21-year-old has had to drift back into the shadows with his rival in such fantastic form. But Alexander-Arnold was injured for this tie and his young rival took his chance in style.

The full-back has outstanding energy, always wants to get forward and has a wonderful understanding of how to work with Mo Salah, the pair tearing Spurs apart with intelligent one-twos.

Bradley’s crunching tackles also get the Kop going. Nobody will ever forget his thunderous challenge on Kylian Mbappe - and he was at it again at Anfield, whipping up the home crowd with his energy and passion. Then he topped it all off with a stunning run and assist for Liverpool's third goal, scored by Domink Szoboszlai.

If Alexander-Arnold does opt to move on this summer, Liverpool have a sure-fire replacement already in the building.