Tottenahm vs Liverpool EFL Cup Semifinal
Lucas Bergvall gave Tottenham the edge over Liverpool with a late winner, sparking wild celebrations and leaving the Reds fuming. The young midfielder’s decisive strike in the dying moments of the game not only secured a crucial advantage for Spurs but also reignited their hopes of lifting their first trophy since 2008.
FULL-TIME: 🐓 Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool 🔴
— Match Spoots (@matchspoots) January 8, 2025
⚽️ L. Bergvall 86'#TOTLIV #LFC #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/z0BK83lcuI
A Night of Drama and Controversy
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with VAR once again taking center stage. Tottenham thought they had taken the lead in the 77th minute when Dominic Solanke expertly finished Pedro Porro’s through-ball. However, referee Stuart Attwell ruled the goal out for offside after a lengthy review, leaving Spurs fans frustrated.
But the drama didn’t end there. Bergvall, who had already been booked, avoided a second yellow card for a challenge on Kostas Tsimikas, a decision that infuriated Liverpool. The Swedish midfielder then became the hero, latching onto Solanke’s cutback in stoppage time to fire past Alisson and send the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into raptures.
Liverpool’s Frustrations Mount
For Liverpool, the defeat was a rare setback under manager Arne Slot. The Reds had arrived with a strong lineup, but their performance was marred by uncharacteristic errors and missed opportunities. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, they failed to capitalize, with Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo both squandering golden opportunities.
Slot’s decision to introduce Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Díaz, and Darwin Núñez in the second half injected energy into the side, but it wasn’t enough to break down a resilient Tottenham defense. Alexander-Arnold came closest with a thunderous strike, only for Radu Dragusin to clear the ball off the line.
Tottenham’s Resilience Shines
Ange Postecoglou’s side showed remarkable resilience, especially after losing Rodrigo Bentancur to a worrying injury in the first half. The Uruguayan midfielder was stretchered off following a collision, leaving Spurs to reshuffle their midfield. Despite the setback, Bergvall’s performance epitomized Tottenham’s fighting spirit, as he combined defensive grit with attacking flair to deliver the decisive moment.
Postecoglou’s tactical adjustments, including moving Dejan Kulusevski into a central role and deploying Brennan Johnson on the wing, paid dividends. The Australian manager’s animated presence on the touchline reflected the high stakes, and his team responded with a performance full of heart and determination.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
With the second leg looming, Tottenham will look to protect their slender advantage and secure a place in the Carabao Cup final. For Liverpool, the focus will be on bouncing back and overturning the deficit at Anfield, where they will rely on their passionate home support to fuel a comeback.
