Tottenham star outlines exactly what must happen to seal Liverpool upset
Ben Davies has said that confidence is the key if Ange Postecoglou’s side are to complete the job in Carabao Cup semi-final away to Liverpool on Thursday night

Ben Davies is urging Tottenham to walk out at Anfield with their chests puffed out after winning the first two games of a season-defining block of four.

Ange Postecoglou’s side take a one-goal lead to Liverpool on Thursday night in their Carabao Cup semi-final and after a first league win in seven weeks away to Brentford on Sunday they are beginning to believe again following a difficult spell.

Spurs also beat Elfsborg to confirm a place in the Europa League round of 16 last week and visit Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round this coming Sunday.

Senior players gathered before the Elfsborg tie to decide that they need to view the four-match set as pivotal to a campaign that has had a significant amount of lows in the league but plenty of promise in the knockout competitions.

“We broke it down into a big ten-day spell for us as a group after some tough periods,” Davies said. “We have four massive games, two have gone well so far. We go into the game knowing we’re in the lead in the tie and it’s in our hands at kick off. We go there confident with the two results so far and hopefully we put in a good performance.”

Davies also heaped praise on Archie Gray, 18, for his latest assured outing at centre-back. The midfielder struggled to get a look-in at the start of the season but their injury crisis at the back has allowed him the chance to flourish in a position he is still learning to play.

The Wales veteran, who has acted as a mentor for Gray, added: “The best compliment you can give him is that you wouldn’t know he’s 18 out there.

“He’s so calm, so relaxed and his decision-making is really, really good. Playing next to him is fun. Start of the season was probably quite tough for him, going from playing every game last year [at Leeds] to not getting on in games at all.

“I spoke to him a lot at that time and showed him that you have to be patient, you have to wait for your chance and when it does come I’m sure you’ll take it.

“He’s someone I get on with very well and talk to and I’m really happy to see how happy he’s playing now.”