Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticised the controversial refereeing decision that allowed Tottenham’s teenage star Lucas Bergvall to remain on the pitch before scoring the decisive goal in Spurs’ 1-0 League Cup semi-final first-leg victory on Wednesday.
Slot was incensed that Bergvall escaped a second yellow card after a sliding tackle on Kostas Tsimikas, who had to leave the field as a result. Referee Stuart Attwell chose not to stop play, giving Liverpool the chance to counter-attack, but when they lost possession moments later, Tottenham capitalised on the vacated space to score in the 86th minute.
Bergvall’s winning goal, assisted by Dominic Solanke, marked a memorable first for the 18-year-old, but Slot was far from impressed. He argued the referee’s decision heavily influenced the match’s outcome, stating, “The fourth official explained that it wasn’t a second yellow because it didn’t stop the counter-attack. Every manager would prefer the yellow card in that situation.” He added that luck seemed to favour Spurs, referencing contentious decisions in their recent match against Newcastle.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou had a different perspective, dismissing claims that Bergvall was fortunate. “If the advantage is played and it’s not a cynical tackle, there’s no yellow card. That was clear,” Postecoglou said, defending the referee’s call.
For Postecoglou, the win was a much-needed boost despite a challenging season. With Spurs struggling in 12th place in the Premier League and coping with numerous injuries, including Rodrigo Bentancur’s first-half head injury that required extended on-field treatment, the victory brought some relief. Postecoglou praised his side for overcoming adversity and expressed confidence in his long-term vision for the club, saying, “We haven’t achieved anything yet, but this was a big result against one of the world’s best teams.”
Liverpool, meanwhile, saw their 24-game unbeaten streak come to an end, a rare setback since Slot took over as manager. Despite their recent form wobble, including a 2-2 draw with Manchester United, Slot remains optimistic, noting the second leg at Anfield on 6 February provides an opportunity to reverse their fortunes. “If you lose, it’s best to do so in a tie with a second leg,” Slot said, adding that he expected a strong response from Tottenham after December’s 6-3 league thrashing.
