Liverpool and Tottenham go head to head on Thursday in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg - with both managers aiming for a first final in English football.

Spurs - who last won a trophy 17 years ago with a League Cup triumph - edged the first leg 1-0 at home four weeks ago through Lucas Bergvall's late strike.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is under pressure, with his injury-hit club in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Holders Liverpool, on the other hand, are flying under manager Arne Slot, sitting six points clear at the top of the table and cruising through to the Champions League last 16.

There will be full commentary of the game on BBC Radio 5 Live, with build-up starting from 19:00 GMT.

The winner of this tie face Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March.

Liverpool manager Slot says right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the game.

The England international was substituted after 70 minutes in the Premier League win at Bournemouth on Saturday with what appeared to be a thigh injury.

The Reds' next game is against Championship side Plymouth in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

"We have to see whether he is able to play on Sunday, but what we do know is that he is not available for tomorrow," said Slot.

"He left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg but he's already on the [training] pitch, not with the team but with the rehab coach, so let's see how long it is going to take."

Conor Bradley, who replaced Alexander-Arnold against Bournemouth, started the first leg at Tottenham on 8 January and looks set to do the same for the return tie.

Joe Gomez is also an option following his return from a hamstring injury.

Tottenham have two new loan signings available to make their potential debuts - Lens centre-back Kevin Danso and Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.

"In terms of availability from last week, everyone is fine and got through OK - so no issues there," said boss Postecoglou.

"Kevin and Mathys are both available. They have trained and are cleared to play so they are all good."

Postecoglou added Danso will definitely play in the game - whether from the start or from the bench - due to the club's defensive problems.

Radu Dragusin's season is over with a knee injury, with Micky van de Ven still finding fitness after an injury and Cristian Romero having not played since December.

"With Micky and Romero to a certain extent, I feel we have to be a bit more conservative with them," added Postecoglou.

"Micky got through the [Europa League] game alright but I don't think he feels ready for that step up to the Premier League, the intensity of it. Same with Romero.

"I made the decision that I don't want to risk losing these guys."

Tottenham come into the game on the back of wins over Elfsborg and Brentford, having only won three of the previous 10 games.

And they are bidding to win their first trophy since the 2008 League Cup when they beat Chelsea 2-1. That is their only silverware since Daniel Levy took over the club in 2001.

"It is a big occasion for us, the club and the fans," said Postecoglou. "I don't think Liverpool will be any less anxious than us for the fixture of a semi-final, a second leg. It is tight and a big game for both clubs.

"You recognise that, embrace that, but ultimately if you want to be successful then these are the games you want to be involved in.

"There is no point in having trepidation about it because the alternative is you will be watching two other teams on the TV and you would be sitting on the couch wishing you were there. We are going to be there and we've got a chance and we will go for it."

Australian Postecoglou pointed out in September "I always win things in my second year" at a club.

He did so with South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F Marinos, the Australia national team and Celtic.

The only times he failed to win a trophy were with teams he did not stay for two years at - Panachaiki, Whittlesea Zebras and Melbourne Victory.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella said: "Back-to-back wins and clean sheets over Elfsborg and Brentford have eased the pressure generally on Ange Postecoglou.

"But Spurs remain 14th in the Premier League table and success in the cup competitions has helped keep a frustrated atmosphere among supporters from getting any worse.

"That fan anger is more directed at the ownership and chairman Daniel Levy than the manager - as they have won just one trophy in his 24 years.

"Chants of 'Levy out' have continued despite back-to-back wins and the only way to satisfy supporters is to finally win a trophy.

"That's why, although navigating a trip to Anfield is not easy for any club, there remains pressure on this match for all involved and in this project built around Postecoglou's attacking style of football."

Liverpool's first season since Jurgen Klopp left and former Feyenoord boss Slot took over could not have gone much better.

The Reds are still in the running for all four trophies - and have only lost three times in this campaign, including the first leg of this tie.

This would be seen as the least important of those four trophies - although it was the only one the Reds managed to pick up last season.

Slot admitted they would have had a benefit if the second leg had been played the following week instead of 30 days later.

"Not that it matters a lot, but if you play one week later you face exactly the same team and with all the injuries Tottenham had last time it would have been a bit more in our advantage - although we lost against the ones that were fit that time," he added.

"If you reach the semi-final against Tottenham you know it is going to be a difficult one - but I think we will be better than the last time."