Talking points from the win over Liverpool | OneFootball

On Wednesday night, we saw Spurs pull off their most impressive win of the season, in their biggest game of the season, as they overcame Liverpool with a 1-0 win in the Carabao Cup semi-finals first leg. It may only be half time of the tie, but what a morale boosting night. Liverpool will be favourites to advance, sure, but it is seriously all to play for. Most would have thought the tie would be out of sight.

So, let's take a look at some of the talking points from a brilliant night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Although, before we do, it would be wrong not to give a mention to Rodrigo Bentancur, and wish him the best. It has been confirmed that the player is conscious, has been talking, and is currently in hospital. Get well soon, LoLo.

Just a whole dose of positivity after this massive victory

Let's start from the back. What a debut for Antonin Kinsky. Everything he would have dreamed about last night ahead of the game. He said he was ready to play - and he proved to be ready and then some. Just exactly how you would have wanted to script it from a Spurs point of view.

During the game, the goalkeeper made six saves, including two big ones to deny substitute Darwin Nunez from close range. He also looked comfortable with his feet, a trait of his that was highlighted by Petr Cech, and had 58 touches throughout the game.

The perfect start. Before this game, you feel he may have been given the nod against Tamworth to get his rhythm into gear, but he might not even be risked after a performance as good as this one. Just superb. There was a great moment after the game where he embraced his sister in a very emotional moment. What a guy.

We are quick to criticise when things go badly, and understandably so, therefore it is right to give praise when things go well. That goal line clearance from Radu Dragusin, to deny Trent Alexander-Arnold, when the score was 0-0 with a little under 20 minutes remaining. Heroic. Goal saving, probably tie saving - and perhaps in the end - tie winning. After a difficult season, it was nice for him to have a moment like this. One where he can look back and give himself a pat on the back.

Not many more words for Archie Gray. It has been said so many times, but this is an 18-year old central midfielder playing at centre-back, as part of a makeshift backline, and back up goalkeepers (until tonight, at least). Without a natural defensive midfielder in front, either. Tonight was most definitely his best performance during this run of games in the centre of defence.

The teenager made three clearances, three interceptions, one tackle, had 64 touches, and won his only ground duel of the game. There was a point in the second half where he managed to evade the press two or three times, before playing a superb pass with the outside of his foot to send Spurs on the attack. He is worth every penny the club paid and more. Anyone who does not see that will see it eventually.

At left-back, Djed Spence continues to impress. His athleticism, ball carrying, and dribbling makes him really apt when being pressed in tight spaces. Similarly to Gray, he has had to play in multiple positions that aren't his natural position. During the game, he made; six clearances, one interception, two tackles, was dribbled past zero times, won 7/10 of his ground duels, had 78 touches of the ball, was fouled three times - and made zero fouls himself.

It has been a long, tough journey for Spence since joining Spurs. An unassuming loan at Rennes, a disappointing loan at Leeds United, and then the club putting a cheap buy option in his loan contract with Genoa. The fact he is at the club's disposal now is more by luck than judgement, but thank goodness he is. Imagine this crisis with Spence playing for Genoa.

You'd imagine a lot of fans feared the worst when Yves Bissouma got a booking in the first half. He and Lucas Bergvall were the only remaining midfielders. Spurs had lost Bentancur early on in the game, whilst James Maddison and Pape Matar Sarr were suspended. He was very disciplined after that, full credit to him. His lack of composure has cost Spurs in crucial moments before, but he kept his cool tonight.

Throughout the game, the midfielder made six clearances, six interceptions, and four tackles. Absolutely superb numbers whilst walking the tightrope of a booking. Really, really top performance. It was these kind of displays that prompted the club into bringing him in from Brighton and Hove Albion.

His aforementioned partner in midfield, Bergvall. Wow, wow, wow. Before we get into the talk about whether he should be on the pitch or not. Let's refer to the manager's post match interview with Sky Sports, and leave it there. Even without that, his first booking was never a foul, so there is just simply no injustice here.

What a performance, not just the goal. His pressing is superb. We saw in the second half when he successfully pressed Allison, leading to the first Porro chance, and then his pass back to the right-back from the loose ball, leading to his second chance. Truly a proper Ange Postecoglu player.

It was a dogged display on and off the bal from him, and his winner was superbly taken, making a brilliant burst into the box, and a superb side footed finish past Alisson. An incredible moment for him and for Spurs, no doubt we will see his minutes in the first team continue to rise throughout the season.

Finally, the last top performance to praise. Dominic Solanke. Unbelieveable. The assist for the goal was that of a proper centre forward and a proper footballer. After making a brilliant run in behind, he held off the very strong Ibrahima Konate, who was also fresh off the bench, and had the vision to play the ball to Bergvall, who did the rest.

Shame about his goal being offside, the barest of margins. Nevertheless, a great performance all round, winning 5/7 ground duels, and drawing three fouls - a real nuisance to play against. It would have been great for him to get a match winning assist against Liverpool too, having not worked out for him on Merseyside.

Not to say that; Porro, Dejan Kulusevski, or Heung-Min Son had nightmares. They didn't. It just wasn't their absolute best games. Shoutout to Porro for his superb ball in behind to Solanke for the winner. He should have scored earlier on in the game, after the previously mentioned work by Bergvall, but made amends there.

The skipper looked tired, but still did create two big opportunities in the first half, one for Dragusin, and the other for Solanke - albeit the second may have been offside.

Maybe we saw Kulusevski look like a player who plays 90 minutes twice a week, and that's fine. The effort and endeavour was still there, and that is the minimum we ask for. Like a lot of players, definitely should not see the pitch for the game against Tamworth. Feet up, then prepare for the North London derby.

Finally, big Ange. To anyone who says he can't adapt, please watch this game. The game management after the winner was superb. Liverpool didn't really create anything of note. No Micky van de Ven, no Cristian Romero, no Destiny Udogie, no Bentancur after five minutes, no Maddison, no Sarr, no Richarlison, no Odobert. He got the win.

In 2024, Arne Slot lost one game in 90 minutes throughout the calendar year. He has already had that matched eight days in 2025, thanks to Ange Postecoglu. So, so, so happy for him. Genuinely absolutely buzzing for him.

Ah man, what a night. Seriously missed the buzz of reporting on a win. It has been pretty depressing writing up match reports over the last couple of months. More to come soon, please.