Slot confident Liverpool can overcome Tottenham in Carabao Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has rallied his squad ahead of their League Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

He has emphasised the club’s winning mentality as they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Anfield.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Slot dismissed suggestions that his side requires a different approach, insisting that Liverpool’s expectations remain the same in every game.

“If you play in this shirt, you need to win the game,” he said. “That is the case tomorrow, on Sunday, and in every match. Even when we go 1-0 down, we try and want to win the game.”

Liverpool suffered a narrow defeat in the first leg last month, conceding a late goal while down to ten men. Slot remains confident his team can respond, insisting they will be better than they were in London.

One factor that could influence the tie is the 29-day gap between fixtures. Tottenham have since strengthened in the transfer market, and key defender Micky van de Ven is pushing for a return.

However, Slot dismissed the notion that this significantly alters the challenge.

“They have brought in three players, and Van de Ven might be available, which could impact the quality we face,” he said. “But we already lost against the team they had last time, so we know it will be difficult.”

Liverpool were inactive in the winter transfer window, but Slot defended that decision, expressing satisfaction with his squad.

He pointed to the club’s strong league position as justification, adding that injuries, which disrupted the squad earlier in the season, have now eased.

One key selection decision remains unresolved, with Slot yet to reveal whether Alisson Becker or Caoimhin Kelleher will start in goal.

Slot also voiced his frustration with English football’s matchday squad rules, questioning why teams are only allowed to name 20 players when clubs in Europe can take 23.

He argued that the congested fixture schedule makes it difficult to leave players out of the squad entirely.Liverpool will now turn their focus to the task ahead, knowing they must deliver a big performance at Anfield to keep their League Cup hopes alive.