Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup final after coasting to a 4-0 win over Tottenham in the semi-final second leg at Anfield.
The Reds overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit to seal a return to Wembley with goals from Cody Gapko, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk.
Elsewhere, Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was left to reflect on a low-key January transfer window, after no attacking reinforcements were brought in ahead of the deadline.
While the FA Cup fourth round action kicks off as United host Leicester, the Arsenal squad have headed for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai – with manager Mikel Arteta insisting all is not lost this season.
Holders put Spurs to the sword
Cody Gakpo confirmed his position as Carabao Cup king with the important first goal which set holders Liverpool on their way back to Wembley after overturning a first-leg deficit to beat a hapless Tottenham 4-1 on aggregate.
The Netherlands international struck his fifth goal in five matches in the competition after 34 minutes to level the tie.
Mohamed Salah then slotted in 26th goal of the campaign from the penalty spot early in the second half.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk further added to Spurs’ pain as Liverpool head coach Arne Slot reached a cup final during his first season – which could be the start of a run of silverware.
Ruben Amorim ready for hard graft ahead
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admits the club have taken a risk with their transfer business – and that everyone is fighting for their jobs until the summer.
United languish 13th in the Premier League after losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace last weekend, when Amorim said the club were 2trying everything” to make improvements before Monday’s transfer deadline.
But nothing materialised despite the glaring need for goals, leaving his side looking short as they look to get back to winning ways against Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday night.
An #FACup night under the lights 🔜🏆#MUFC pic.twitter.com/QA1HEh7HbG
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 5, 2025
“What I feel is the club is taking its time,” said Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag as head coach in November.
“We know the urgency of the moment, the moment of the team, but I think everybody here doesn’t want to make some mistakes that we did in past, so we have to improve players we have and to win some games.
“Then in summer we will see but, like I said, we are being really careful with transfers because we did some mistakes in the past.”
Amorim added: “I think it is a moment that is hard to turn things around in just a few games. It is going to be like that, really hard, until the end of the season.”
United have also been dealt an injury blow following confirmation defender Lisandro Martinez sustained cruciate ligament damage during the Palace game.
Gunners to regroup in Dubai
Departing for Dubai 🔜
📸 Check out the photos of our Gunners heading for a one-week training camp👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 6, 2025
Mikel Arteta has told Arsenal they still have a lot to play for this season despite seeing hopes of Carabao Cup glory ended by Newcastle on Wednesday night.
With a free weekend after their FA Cup third round exit at the hands of Manchester United, the Arsenal squad have headed for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai before returning to resume their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
Arsenal currently sit in second place in the table – six points adrift of leaders Liverpool but having played a game more – and they have qualified directly for the last 16 in Europe.
“We need to swallow this one. It’s a tough one as we had a lot of expectations,” said Arteta, whose side lost 2-0 on Tyneside as they had done in the semi-final first leg at the Emirates Stadium.
“Now we have to look forward – first of all, I think this is going to be a painful one – and when we’re in Dubai, recharge and go again because we still have a lot to play for.”
SGP 2.0 project kicks off
St George's Park 2.0 🙌
Our national football centre will receive significant investment to ensure the world-class facility continues to evolve ⤵️
— The FA (@FA) February 6, 2025
The Football Association has announced St George’s Park will undergo “a radical refurbishment” over the next three years.
Opened in 2012, the England teams’ headquarters will be renovated ahead of the men’s European Championship, coming to the UK and Ireland in 2028.
The FA says the “SGP 2.0 project” will see the Staffordshire site change in a bid to provide a competitive advantage, meet player and coach expectations and aid innovation.
Work will soon get under way and be completed in phases through until 2028, when St George’s Park will be England’s base for the Euros.
What’s on today?
Ruud van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford on Friday night as his Leicester side tackle Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round.
The former United striker had spent a couple of weeks as caretaker manager following the sacking of fellow Dutchman ten Hag, having stepped up from his assistant role, but will be in the opposite dugout as he looks to heap more pressure on rival boss Amorim.
Several Premier League managers will hold press conferences on Friday ahead of the weekend’s FA Cup action, with Eddie Howe first up.
Slot, Ange Postecoglou and Enzo Maresca are among those also set to speak to the media along with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, whose side face a potential banana skin at Sky Bet League One Leyton Orient on Saturday.
