Tottenham Hotspur will take a one-goal advantage away to Anfield in the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final after narrowly beating the Premier League leaders in north London on Wednesday.
A goal from 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall four minutes from time proved the difference in a thrilling encounter at Tottenham Stadium.
The match, however, was marred by a very serious injury to Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half, which resulted in the midfielder being taken to hospital.
Spurs have never been involved in a goalless draw during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure and it looked like the game was heading that way before Bergvall found the net to only inflict Arne Slot’s side a second defeat of the season.
For Tottenham, it was the first win since winning their previous EFL eight against Manchester United.
Victory in the first leg! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktX5W2OTjA
— Tottenham (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025
Before the game, Postecoglou had cited his side’s lengthy absentee list as a factor in their drop in results in recent weeks, saying Salah would struggle to be productive in an injury-hit squad.
And Spurs were dealt another blow when the returning Bentancur had to be stretchered off after just six minutes and taken to hospital for treatment. .
Despite the change and subsequent long delay, it was Postecoglou’s side that started the brightest. The league leaders, meanwhile, were careless in possession.
Alisson had to be alert to keep out Radu Dragusin’s early effort, while Dominic Solanke headed just wide from Sean Heung-min’s cross.
Liverpool were also forced into a first-half change after Jarell Quansah was replaced by Wataru Endo.
The Reds then had a couple of half-chances as the half drew to a close, thanks to Salah and Cody Gakpo, but neither effort really bothered Spurs new boy Antonin Kinksy.
“Unbelievable moment to score your first goal for the club!” 🎙
Lukas Bergvall puts Spurs ahead in the 85th minute of the first game! 💥 pic.twitter.com/NxZxPt9vLH
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025
After the break, it was the Liverpool shot-stopper at the heart of the action when Alisson was almost robbed by Bergvall as he tried to play out from the back.
The Brazilian escaped the first challenge but Bergvall came back for another bite, forcing the ball into the path of Pedro Porro, whose initial shot was blocked but who then wasted the follow-up.
Kinski was called into action again when he was saved by substitute Darwin Nunez. Dragusin was then cleared off the line by Trent Alexander-Arnold – another of the Slot contenders – as the game began to open up.
With just under 15 minutes remaining, Spurs thought they had taken the lead when Porro’s pass found Solanke who raced away from the Reds defence.
But the former Liverpool man was ruled offside by VAR.
Ten minutes later, the hosts scored one that counted. From another Porro pass, Solanke held off Ibrahima Konate before laying the ball off to Bergval, who finished well from inside the box for his first Spurs goal.
The visitors were left disappointed that Bergvall was even on the pitch to score after avoiding a second yellow card for a foul on Konstantinos Tsimikas just before the goal.
In the end, the Swede’s strike proved enough to give Spurs a slender lead in the second leg at Anfield on 6 February.
