A much-changed Liverpool side knocked Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup to continue their winless start to the season under Roberto De Zerbi.
Spurs named a strong team, started well and should have taken a first-half lead when a cross fell to the feet of Lucas Bergvall in the box, but goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili made a stunning stop to deny him.
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Liverpool then almost cut through Spurs as Rio Ngumoha found Lewis Koumas, only to be denied by Martin Dubravka, before Alexis Mac Allister fired the opening goal with a first-time shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Tottenham had not come from behind to win in 47 previous attempts and their task became even harder when Cody Gakpo cut inside from the left and slammed Liverpool into a two-goal lead shortly after the break.
Conor Gallagher belatedly scored Tottenham’s first goal of the season to set up a frantic ending, but Dominik Szoboszlai’s late rocket sent Liverpool through to the fourth round.
Here are how the players rated at Anfield
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Liverpool
Giorgi Mamardashvili, 7: Liverpool’s No 2 goalkeeper made an excellent early stop to deny Lucas Bergvall when the tie was goalless, and another from Omar Marmoush later on. But he looked weak from the corner that led to Tottenham’s goal.
Jeremie Frimpong, 5: Both of Tottenham’s big first-half chances came down his side while, in an attacking sense, his final ball from the right was poor once again. But stuck to his task against the lively Mathys Tel.
Ronald Araujo, 7: The only player to keep his place from Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. He displayed authority in the backline in another promising display from the on-loan Barcelona centre-back.
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Joe Gomez, 6: Perhaps some rust would have been expected as the injury-prone defender made his first start of the season, but he slotted in well enough and had a role in Mac Allister’s goal.
Milos Kerkez, 6: Solid enough defensively, with some bright bursts going forward too. An excellent recovery challenge to deny Omar Marmoush in the box was his highlight.
Alexis Mac Allister, 8: Delivered another big Anfield goal on a night where Liverpool needed his experience and he showed up. Showed his class at times.
Trey Nyoni, 7: Deployed in the deep-lying midfield position, the 19-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong once he had adjusted to the pace of the game and Tottenham’s fast start.
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Rio Ngumoha, 7: Produced a wonderful turn and pass to set up an early chance for Lewis Koumas and also had a hand in Mac Allister’s opener. The 18-year-old continues to adjust to the right side of attack.
James McConnell, 7: A very bright showing, full of energy, and led the hugely improved Liverpool press that rather set the tone for the night. Like Nyoni, didn’t look out of place
Cody Gakpo, 8: Continued his superb start to the season with a trademark finish while coming inside onto his right foot. Brought incision to Liverpool’s attack and scored while wearing the armband, too.
Lewis Koumas, 7: Didn’t stop running all night and worked his socks off, despite playing in an unfamiliar position. Had an excellent chance to open the scoring after making a peeling run but was denied by Dubravka.
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Substitutes
Jeremy Jacquet, 7: Made an excellent recovery challenge on Marmoush in the second half.
Ryan Gravenberch, 6: Liverpool actually lost some control after he replaced Nyoni.
Dominik Szoboszlai, 7: Wowzer. What a way to seal victory – and after wasting a late chance to put the game to bed.
Bradley Barcola, N/A: Showed some electric pace on the counter-attack, but Frimpong couldn’t find him.
Alexander Isak, N/A: Led a very late breakaway but could not find the target.
Tottenham
Martin Dubravka, 6: Made a good save to deny Koumas early on but was well beaten on the three Liverpool goals.
Archie Gray, 5: One of Tottenham’s better performers in the first half but allowed Gakpo onto his right foot far too easily.
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Tosin Adarabioyo, 5: Looks to be Tottenham’s fourth-choice centre-back and hardly suggested he deserves to be any higher.
Marcos Senesi, 4: Caught out on the ball on a couple of occasions when playing out from the back.
Destiny Udogie, 5: Showed up well in his battle with Ngumoha and offered a couple of moments from threat from left back.
Rodrigo Bentancur, 4: Looked slow on the ball and off the pace. Blitzed by Liverpool’s young midfielders at times.
Lucas Bergvall, 6: Produced a couple of bursts forward but spurned a brilliant chance to open the scoring.
Mohammed Kudus, 6: Wasted a glorious chance to equalise from under the crossbar but brought some flashes on his first start of the season.
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Conor Gallagher, 4: Scored Tottenham’s first goal of the season, at long last, but he was wasteful on the ball at times and guilty of some loose touches in midfield.
Mathys Tel, 5: Crafted a couple of opportunities for others on the left wing, but brought off in the second half without having made enough impact.
Omar Marmoush, 6: Similarly, had bright moments. Struggled leading the line but then was denied by an excellent Mamardashvili after fashioning a chance for himself coming off the left.
Substitutes
Andy Robertsons, 6: Came on to an excellent reception on his Anfield return.
Matheus Fernandes, 7: Tottenham improved when he was added to the midfield.
James Maddison, 7: Made a real difference when brought on to No 10.
Savio, 5: Flashed a glorious late chance wide of the post.
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