Eighteen-year-old Lucas Bergwall's first goal for Tottenham gave his side a valuable 1-0 lead and a trip to Anfield for a Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool – albeit a controversial winner.
Arne Slott's Reds were emphatic 6-3 winners when these sides met in the Premier League in north London in December, but this was a tighter, more contested affair in which the top two goalscorers from the top flight lacked their usual sharpness in the final third – until Dominic Solanke impressively outplayed Ibrahima Konate for Bergvall to score in the 86th minute.
Liverpool appealed for a foul – and potentially a second yellow – when Bergvall slipped on Kostas Tsimikas minutes before the latter struck. But referee Stuart Attwell waved it on and decided not to penalize the Spurs teenager later. Tsimikas was then off the field, having received treatment, when Bergvall scored.
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Lucas Bergvall scored the winner against Liverpool, but should the Spurs midfielder still be on the pitch?
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was furious. “(The referee) made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. I think it was quite obvious and everyone on the sideline knew it should be yellow. There's a linesman, a fourth official, there's VAR and a referee, and he he doesn't get a second yellow, I'm not saying that's the reason we lost today, but it was a big moment in the game.
Solanke had already seen his own goal flagged for offside, and for the first time referee Attwell announced the VAR call over the loudspeaker. The news was met with jeers from the Spurs fans and celebratory cheers from the Liverpool support – but the mood of those fans changed with Bergvall's late intervention.
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Dominic Solanke's goal was disallowed after a closer VAR review, with referee Stuart Attwell first announcing the decision to the UK crowd.
For Ange Postecoglou and his group, this could be a big moment in their development. Spurs entered the tie already very exhausted and with new signing Antonin Kinsky brought on 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 the positive news on social media, saying 'All good'.
But with Kinsky impressive in his first game, including making a sharp save in second-half stoppage time to deny Darwin Nunez, Spurs were able to limit Liverpool without the paint. They could have been in front earlier as Pedro Porro saw a shot blocked and then shot wide when Bergvall caught Alisson in possession. However, Radu Dragusin needed to block Trent Alexander-Arnold's fierce shot on the line.
While Spurs celebrated what they hope will be a turning point after a four-game winless run, Slott's side have had a slow start to the New Year, first dropping points at home to Manchester United in the Premier League and now leave London with a tough fight for twist in the second leg on Thursday 6 February.
Controversial Spurs goal: Why did Liverpool want Bergvall sent off?
68: Lucas Bergvall received a yellow card for sliding, Liverpool's Luis Diaz.
84: Bergvall enters Kostas Tsimikas. Referee Stuart Attwell calls it on which leads to Darwin Nunez taking a shot on target. Play is then stopped so Tsimikas can receive treatment, but Bergvalla is not penalised, despite protests from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
86: Two minutes and five seconds after Bergvall's cross, he makes a breakthrough for Spurs, while Tsimikas waits on the sidelines to return to the field after receiving treatment. The Liverpool manager was shown a yellow card by referee Attwell for objecting to 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 at the Carabao VAR trial, after the referee announced the decision that Solanke's goal was ruled out for the crowd.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:
“We have to deal with adversity all the time. We started the game terribly well, and almost scored a goal just before (Bentancur's injury). Then we lose a key player in these circumstances. But all my players are resilient and keep going, and that's what they did today.
“It's amazing when you think we have a few 18-year-olds playing out of position. A non-left back and a goalkeeper making his debut.
“The lads gave it their all, we had to work hard. They brought considerable talent and we can't make those changes. But the lads kept going and we got a deserved goal from that.”
Slot: I never thought we would lose
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Arne Slott admitted he was frustrated that Lucas Bergvall avoided a potential second yellow and then scored the game-winner minutes later during their Carabao Cup semi-final against Spurs.
Liverpool boss Arne slot:
“I never thought we were going to lose this game. Spurs started better than us but after that we had control, a lot more possession. If you go down to 10 for a few seconds against a team that can play as good football as Tottenham can (point).
“If you ever have to lose a game, it's better when there's still a second leg. It is far from ideal.
“I don't think we're going to reach that level (of winning 6-3) in every game we play. We all know how important it is for us and for the Spurs fans to go to the final. We knew it would never be the same game as before two weeks.”