Liverpool have had plenty of heroes on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-finals for a second year running.

The Reds know there is still work to do if they are to reach yet another final, with a 1-0 deficit needing to be overturned against Tottenham on Thursday.

But having seen so many of the Liverpool squad step up during their run to the last four, the Reds will believe they have what it takes to do the business at Anfield.

Just as he was last year, Cody Gakpo has been absolutely key to Liverpool going deep in this competition.

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Gakpo was the joint top-scorer in the Carabao Cup last season with four goals in six games.

This season, the Dutchman has four in four.

In a rich vein of form and so often Liverpool’s man for the big goal, Kostas Tsimikas has praised Gakpo ahead of the big clash against Spurs.



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Although Gakpo has arguably forced his way into Arne Slot’s best Liverpool XI this season, he has not always been a starter.

The 25-year-old may have featured in every one of the Reds’ 23 Premier League matches, for example, but he has only started 15 of them.

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In the Carabao Cup that has been a different story.

Gakpo has begun each of Liverpool’s four fixtures in the competition.

Four two-and-a-half of those games, the Dutchman has had Tsimikas patrolling down the left-side behind him.

And having cooked up a good partnership with Gakpo, the left-back has been raving about his teammate.

READ MORE: Cody Gakpo suggests Arne Slot saved him from a ‘tricky’ situation at Liverpool

“He’s a great, great player,” Tsimikas tells liverpoolfc.com.

We are really close and I hope [for] more goals for him because he absolutely deserves it.”

Tsimikas has often been utilised in the Carabao Cup throughout his Liverpool career as he rotates with Andy Robertson.

This season, the 28-year-old has seen more action than normal in both the Premier League and the Champions League as Slot aims to protect Robertson’s fitness.

ApperancesGoalsAssistsPremier League2383Champions League731Carabao Cup441Cody Gakpo at Liverpool 2024/25

However, Tsimikas is still the Liverpool head coach’s go-to man for the Carabao as well.

Having said that, with Plymouth to come in the FA Cup on Sunday – and therefore the chance for rotation at the weekend – we think Slot will actually stick with Robertson for Thursday’s game.

Tsimikas has indeed forged a good partnership with Gakpo over the season so far, but Robbo is still first choice.
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