There were upset feelings in the Liverpool camp and with away coach Arne Slot when the Swedish teenager in the 86th minute saved the home crowd at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first semi-final match of two in the League Cup.
The goal was Lucas Bergvall's first full hit in the Tottenham jersey since he joined the London club from Allsvenskan Djurgården last summer. It was also the match's only goal, but the question is whether Bergvall should have been on the pitch at that stage of the match.
"Made a mistake"
A few minutes earlier, the 18-year-old had brought down Kostas Tsimikas, but the referee did not warn Bergvall, who had previously received a yellow card in the first half. Liverpool's Greek left-back was not on the pitch when the goal fell because Tsimikas was receiving treatment on the sideline.
It was pretty obvious that it would have been a second yellow card, says Liverpool's team captain Virgil van Dijk according to the news agency AP.
He (the referee) made a mistake, I think, continues van Dijk.
Arne Slot was furious and was warned for his protests. The loss was the Dutchman's only second as coach for Premier League leader Liverpool. He took over the classic club before the season.
Long before Bergvall's controversial winning goal, unpleasant scenes unfolded in the semi-final. In the sixth minute, Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur – with no opponent near him – tried to head a corner but missed the ball and hit the grass. He lay on the pitch for almost ten minutes and received treatment before being carried out on a stretcher.
Taken to hospital
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou tells AFP that Bentancur was conscious when he came to the dressing room, before being taken to hospital for further examination.
As I understand it, it was a head injury. It was worrying and head injuries are always a concern, but from what I know, he's hopefully going to be okay.
The return match in Liverpool will be played on February 6. In the other semi-final on Tuesday, Newcastle won 2–0 against Arsenal. The return match will be played on February 5.
The League Cup final will be decided at Wembley in London on March 16.
