Eighteen-year-old Lucas Bergvall’s first goal for Tottenham has given his side a precious 1-0 lead to take to Anfield in their Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool – although it was a controversial winner.
Arne Slot’s Reds were emphatic 6-3 victors when these teams met in the Premier League in north London in December but this was a tighter, error-filled contest which saw the top-flight’s two leading scorers lacking their usual sharpness in the final third – until Dominic Solanke impressively out-muscled Ibrahima Konate for Bergvall to strike on 86 minutes.
Liverpool had appealed for a foul – and potential second yellow – when Bergvall slid in on Kostas Tsimikas a couple of minutes before he struck. But referee Stuart Attwell waved play on and opted not to later punish the Spurs teenager. Tsimikas was then off the pitch, having received treatment, when Bergvall scored.
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Lucas Bergvall scored the winner against Liverpool, but should the Spurs midfielder have still been on the pitch?
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was incensed. “[The ref] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. It was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow. There is a linesman there, a fourth official, there is VAR and a referee, and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying this is the reason we lost today, but it was a big moment in the game.”
Solanke had already seen a goal of his own chalked off for offside, with the VAR call announced over the public address system by referee Attwell for the first time. That news was greeted by jeers from the Spurs fans and celebratory cheers from the Liverpool support – but the mood of those supporters switched with Bergvall’s late intervention.
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Dominic Solanke’s goal was ruled out after closer inspection by VAR, with referee Stuart Attwell announcing the decision to the crowd in a UK first
For Ange Postecoglou and his group, this could be a huge moment in their development. Spurs went into the tie already badly depleted and with new signing Antonin Kinsky thrown in for his debut in goal. They then lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a worrying first-half injury which saw the midfielder stretchered off and then taken to hospital. He later posted a positive update on social media, saying ‘All good’.
But with Kinsky impressing in his first game, including a sharp save in second-half stoppage time to deny Darwin Nunez, Spurs were able to limit an off-colour Liverpool. They could have been ahead earlier, too, with Pedro Porro seeing a shot blocked and then chipping wide when Bergvall caught Alisson in possession. However, Radu Dragusin was needed to block Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fierce shot on the line.
While Spurs celebrated what they will hope to be a turning point after a four-game winless run, Slot’s side have made a sluggish start to the New Year, first dropping points at home to Manchester United in the Premier League and now they leave London with an uphill battle to turn around this tie in the second leg on Thursday February 6.
Spurs’ controversial goal: Why did Liverpool want Bergvall sent off?
68: Lucas Bergvall was shown a yellow card for a sliding challenge on Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.
84: Bergvall slides in on Kostas Tsimikas. Ref Stuart Attwell plays on which leads to Darwin Nunez shooting on target. Play is then stopped so Tsimikas can receive treatment but there is no punishment for Bergvall, despite protests from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
86: Two minutes and five seconds after Bergvall’s tackle, he makes the breakthrough for Spurs, while Tsimikas is waiting on the sidelines to return to the field after receiving treatment. A Liverpool coach is booked by ref Attwell for complaining about the situation. Spurs’ goal came directly from an uncontested drop ball.
Postecoglou praises Spurs’ resilience
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Ange Postecoglou made his feelings clear on the Carabao VAR trial, after the referee announced the decision Solanke’s goal was ruled out to the crowd.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:
“We’re having to deal with adversity all the time. We started the game awfully well, and almost scored just before [the Bentancur injury]. Then we lose a key player in those kinds of circumstances. But all my players are resilient and they keep going, and they did that today.
“It’s incredible when you think that we’ve got a couple of 18-year-olds out there playing out of position. A left-back who’s not a left-back and a goalkeeper making his debut.
“The boys gave everything, we had to work hard. They put on some significant talent and we can’t make those changes. But the guys kept going and we got a deserved goal out of it.”
Slot: I never felt we were going to lose
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Arne Slot admitted he was frustrated that Lucas Bergvall avoided a potential second yellow and then scored the matchwinner minutes after during their Carabao Cup semi-final against Spurs.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot:
“I never felt we were going to lose this game. Spurs started better than us but after that we had control, much more ball possession. If you go down to 10 for a few seconds against a team that can play so good football like Tottenham can [score].
“If you ever have to lose a game it’s better when there’s still a second leg to be played. It’s far from ideal.
“I don’t think we’ll reach that level [of the 6-3 win] in every game we play. We all know how important it is for us and also the Spurs fans to go to the final. We knew it would never be the same game as two weeks ago.”
