Lucas Bergvall controversially gave Tottenham a 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.
The two sides played out a tight encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday, and it appeared set to end goalless after Dominic Solanke had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the second half. However, in the 86th minute, Bergvall finished superbly after some excellent work from the tireless Solanke, netting his first goal for Spurs.
Ange Postecoglou’s side managed to see out the victory ahead of next month’s second leg at Anfield, but Bergvall’s decisive contribution was contentious. Liverpool was left fuming over the goal, with the Swedish midfielder perhaps fortunate to still be on the pitch. After receiving a booking in the first half for a sliding challenge on Luis Diaz—despite replays suggesting minimal contact—he followed up with another sliding challenge that took out Kostas Tsimikas.
The incident sparked outrage among Liverpool players and fans, highlighting the tension and drama that often characterize high-stakes cup matches. As the teams prepare for the second leg, the focus will be on whether Bergvall can maintain his composure and whether Liverpool can overturn the deficit.
Liverpool were left fuming after Lucas Bergvall escaped a second yellow card for Tottenham
The Swede was booked in the first half for a challenge on Luis Diaz by referee Stuart Attwell
Moments after his foul on Tsimikas – which wasn’t punished – Bergvall netted Spurs’ winner
However, Stuart Attwell didn’t show Bergvall a second yellow card, with the 18-year-old scoring moments after.
To add insult to injury, Tsimikas was off the pitch waiting to come back on with the Reds temporarily down to 10 men when the Swede netted.
The Liverpool bench was left fuming, with one member of the coaching staff receiving a yellow card from Attwell for his protests, while Arne Slot was seen remonstrating with the fourth official.
Speaking after the game, Slot was clear in his claims that the officials had made a big mistake.
‘On Sunday a decision went against Spurs, today it went for them,’ he said.
‘Unlucky for us. Yeah, no debate about that (it should have been a second yellow for Bergvall.’
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk also took his ire out on the officials and claimed they must do better.
‘I think it was quite obvious it was going to be a second yellow [for Lucas Bergvall],’ he said.
‘I think it was pretty clear. It was a coincidence and a minute later he scores the winner.
‘It is what it is. He [the referee] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. He thinks he didn’t but it was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow.
‘There’s a linesman there, a fourth official there, there’s VAR, a referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow. I’m not saying this is the reason why we lost tonight but it was a big moment in the game.’
Speaking in the Sky Sports studio, Michael Dawson and Jamie Redknapp agreed with Slot and were adamant that Spurs had got away with one.
‘Stuart Atwell puts himself in a position as I don’t think the first one is a yellow card with the one on Luis Diaz,’ former Tottenham defender Dawson said.
‘The one thing I would say with Bergvall is that he gives Stuart Attwell an opportunity and a decision to make. Stuart Attwell got that first one wrong, I don’t think it was a yellow card.
‘The second one, I have no defence for Bergvall, he lunges and catches Tsimikas. If he gets one right and one wrong, you can’t even it up.
‘Liverpool are punished off the back of that as a few moments later the ball is in the back of the net.
‘I can understand Liverpool’s frustration. Once the first yellow card is given, you are wanting a second yellow card without a shadow of a doubt.’
Redknapp added: ‘You would be fuming (if you were Liverpool). It has a momumental effect on the rest of the game.
‘Tsimikas has to come off for treatment leaving Liverpool with 10 men. He comes off for 30 seconds, so not only is Bergvall on the pitch but they have to play with 10 men and you can see it changes the shape of the team
‘A brilliant bit of play from their (Spurs’) perspective but if you are a Liverpool coach, player and fan, you are wondering why he is on the pitch and our left back isn’t.