Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk stuns with sensational display in Carabao Cup victory against Tottenham | Football Blog

Liverpool have reached the final of the Carabao Cup after outclassing Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at Anfield on Thursday, thus winning the semi-final tie on 4-1 aggregate. 

Cody Gakpo delivered the breakthrough in the 34th minute before Antonin Kinsky’s mistake allowed Mohamed Salah to add another from the penalty spot in the second-half. 

Dominik Szoboszlai slotted home the third to end any hopes of a comeback for the visitors, and Virgil van Dijk also earned his name on the scoresheet with a trademark header. 

The result means the Reds will now face Newcastle United in the final at Wembley next month, with the Magpies triumphing over Arsenal in the last four. 

There were many excellent performances from Liverpool in Thursday’s win, but we were most impressed with captain Van Dijk. 

It was a near flawless performance from the Dutchman, who struck a superb goal and erased any attacking threat from Spurs. 

Football pundit Jamie Carragher was also full of praise for Van Dijk, calling him the best defender in the world.  

The Netherlands international was on the pitch for 87 minutes and in that time, he had an incredible 76 touches. He completed 65 of his 70 passes (93%) and won all his aerial duels. 

The 33-year-old lost the ball on five occasions, but he registered two clearances, a tackle and an interception. 

The experienced centre-back also completed six of his nine long balls and contributed a key pass. 

Van Dijk’s future at Liverpool has been a source of speculation, as his current contract will run out in June. 

Recent reports suggested he had agreed a new deal at Anfield, but he dismissed that following the 4-0 win against Tottenham. 

He told Sky Sports: “What the future brings I have no idea.

“Anybody who says they know it – they are wrong.”

Van Dijk has been a key player for the Reds since joining the club in January 2018. 

Since his arrival, he has made over 300 appearances across all competitions, with 26 goals and 13 assists to his name. 

Stats from Sofascore