Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool: Carabao Cup semi-final first leg result as Lucas Bergvall strikes late on to sink holders

Lucas Bergvall struck a controversial late winner as Tottenham claimed a 1-0 victory over holders Liverpool in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 18-year-old Swede fired home Dominic Solanke’s clever pass four minutes from time to leave Reds boss Arne Slot fuming.

The Liverpool coach and his players felt the Spurs man should have received a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas just moments prior to snaring his maiden goal for the club.

The first half was marred by a nasty-looking injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, with play halted for up to eight minutes after he landed awkwardly on his head attacking an early right-wing corner.

The game struggled to ignite from that moment on, with Spurs creating the better openings and having a goal from Solanke ruled out by VAR for offside in the build-up.

New recruit Antonin Kinsky dealt with everything an out-of-sorts Liverpool could throw at him as the £12.5 million goalkeeper signed from Slavia Prague kept a clean sheet on his debut.

On Bergvall not being sent off: "It was quite obvious that it was going to be a second yellow. Obviously, it was pretty clear. And then there is the coincidence of a minute later that he scores the winner, but it is what it is.

"The referee made a mistake in my opinion. I told him that. He thinks he didn’t. It was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sideline knew it should have been a [second] yellow."

On Tsimikas not being on the pitch when the goal goes in due to having to go to the touchline after treatment: "I have no idea [if it played a role]. The fact is he [Bergvall] should have been [sent] off. There is a linesman there, there is a fourth official. There is VAR, there is a referee. He doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying this is the reason we lost tonight, but it was a big moment in the game.

"Obviously you play against an intense team with good attacking players, that make it difficult. We created good moments and opportunities at times, but not really clear-cut chances. But still enough we could have scored. Unfortunately we didn’t. It’s quite cliche, it’s half-time now and I’m looking forward to the game back at Anfield."  

On Liverpool being a few levels below their best: "I wouldn’t say one or two levels. At times, we could have done better. That is football. We try to play our best game. At times we played through them nicely and had some dangerous moments, but they defended much better than they did a couple of weeks ago. But we move on and take it on the chin. It’s half-time and we have another 90-plus minutes to go and I’m looking forward to it."

Pencil in February 6 when Spurs may well have some big hitters back in their defense as they bid to come through an Anfield test and reach a 10th final.

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It will be all eyes on Anfield next month with both teams very much in the hunt to reach the final despite Lucas Bervall’s late goal earning Ange Postecoglou’s side a narrow advantage.

The second leg takes place on Thursday, February 6 with the winner meeting either Newcastle or Arsenal at Wembley on March 16. 

The match struggled to live up to the hype with both sides failing to find the free-scoring touch that saw them play out a nine-goal thriller that Liverpool won 6-3 just 17 days earlier.

The contest may well have been affected by a nasty, early injury to Rodrigo Bentancur, who was taken off on a stretcher after being treated for several moments following a nasty fall in the Liverpool penalty area.

Next up, Liverpool host Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round on Saturday. Spurs are at Tamworth on Sunday. 

It wasn't Slot cautioned, it was his assistant. Either way, Liverpool felt aggrieved.

Nunez's improvised shot is flicked past the post by Kinsky after neat work by Diaz on the left.

Seven minutes added.

The Liverpool boss is fuming that Bergvall didn't receive a second yellow just a moment before he scored what could be the winner.

This time it counts! The hosts snatch the lead as Bergvall arrives to slide Solanke's pass beyond Alisson after the striker had held off Konate to reach a long ball over the top.

Play continues but Gravenberch can't beat Kinsky from distance.

Bergvall glances at the referee anxiously as he's already been booked, but no card is shown.

Both sides look keen to pinch this...

Spurs press down the left but a good spell ends with Kulusevski's miscued shot easily gathered by Alisson.

Konate on for Mac Allister.

Endo will move into midfield with Konate slotting in next to VVD.

Solanke was just offside as he surged on to Porro's pass.

And Liverpool have a reprieve!

The lines are drawn and Solanke is deemed to be offside.

Still 0-0 here.

The former Liverpool man races on to a through pass and slides a fine shot beyond Alisson.

VAR is here tonight, so there will be a check for offside. It was tight.

Werner takes on TAA and Endo but flashes a shot from a narrowing angle into the side netting.

Werner on for Son.