League Cup: Liverpool deepens Tottenham's crisis as Arsenal advance easily to the fourth round

Liverpool deepened Tottenham’s crisis by eliminating them from the EFL Cup 3-1 on Tuesday at Anfield in the third round, while Arsenal comfortably advanced to the fourth round by defeating hosts Ipswich Town 4-2.

Spanish manager Andoni Iraola of Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief after reaching the fourth round, following a start to the season in which his team had won only one match and drawn three in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi’s struggles with Tottenham continue. Despite the London club’s record-breaking spending in the summer transfer window, the team has managed only one victory this season, which came in the previous round of the EFL Cup against Charlton (5-1), alongside two defeats and two draws in the league without scoring a single goal.

The first dangerous chance of the match came for the visitors when Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall finished with his left foot from close range after a cross from Italy’s Destiny Udogie on the left, but Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a brilliant save (11). Liverpool responded with an equally dangerous opportunity.

Ghanaian winger Mohamed Kudus squandered a golden chance to equalize, sending a close-range left-footed shot over the bar after a precise cross from Udogie on the left (32).

Xakbo added the second goal in spectacular fashion, striking with his right foot from the left side of the box to place the ball in the top corner to the left of Drobak (54).

Tottenham’s performance improved markedly after falling two goals behind, particularly with the activity and energy of Egyptian international Omar Marmoush.

Marmoush struck with his right foot from the left side of the box, but the shot was deflected by Uruguayan defender Ronald Araujo before being brilliantly saved by Mamardashvili (86).

In other results, Fulham beat second-tier (Championship) hosts West Ham 3-2, Brentford overcame third-tier (League One) hosts Reading 2-1, and Peterborough, also from the third tier, joined the advancing teams after defeating same-tier visitors Barnsley 7-6 on penalties following a 3-3 draw at the end of regular time.