Bergvall's controversial goal stuns Liverpool and gives Spurs the advantage in the semi-finals.

Lucas Bergvall, 18, scored Tottenham's first goal, which was a contentious winner, but it gave his team a valuable 1-0 lead going into their Carabao Cup semi-final matchup with Liverpool at Anfield.

When these teams faced off in the Premier League in north London in December, Arne Slot's Reds lost handily, 6-3. However, this match was more tense and full of mistakes, and the two top scorers in the top flight lacked their typical acuity in the final third until Dominic Solanke outmuscled Ibrahima Konate for Bergvall to score on 86 minutes.

When Bergvall slid in on Kostas Tsimikas a few minutes before he scored, Liverpool had called for a foul and maybe a second yellow card. However, referee Stuart Attwell chose not to penalise the Spurs teenager later and instead waved play on. Bergvall then scored while Tsimikas was off the pitch receiving medical attention.

Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, was furious. "I told the referee that I thought he made a mistake. Everyone on the sidelines understood that was meant to be a yellow, and I believe it was pretty evident. He doesn't receive a second yellow, and there is a referee, a linesman, a fourth official, and VAR present. It was a significant moment in the game, but I'm not claiming that this is the reason we lost today."

Referee Attwell made the VAR call over the public address system for the first time after Solanke's own goal was already chalked out for offside. The Liverpool supporters cheered with joy while the Spurs supporters jeered at the news, but Bergvall's late intervention changed the atmosphere among those supporters.

This might be a pivotal point in the growth of Ange Postecoglou and his team. Spurs were already severely thin going into the match, and newcomer Antonin Kinsky was starting in goal for the first time. The midfielder was stretchered off and brought to the hospital after they lost Rodrigo Bentancur to a concerning injury in the first half. 'All good' was the happy update he later shared on social media.

However, Spurs were able to contain an unmotivated Liverpool team thanks to Kinsky's impressive debut performance, which included a deft save in stoppage time in the second half to deny Darwin Nunez. They also had a chance earlier when Bergvall caught Alisson in control and Pedro Porro's attempt was blocked before he chipped wide. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold's ferocious shot on the line had to be blocked by Radu Dragusin.

After a four-game losing streak, Spurs celebrated what they hope will be a turning point. Meanwhile, Slot's team has had a slow start to the New Year, losing to Manchester United in the Premier League and now leaving London with a difficult task to win this match in the second leg on Thursday, February 6.

Why did Liverpool want Bergvall hauled off for Spurs' contentious goal?
68: Luis Diaz of Liverpool was slidingly challenged by Lucas Bergvall, who was given a yellow card.

84: Kostas Tsimikas is slipped in by Bergvall. Reference Darwin Nunez shoots on target after Stuart Attwell plays on. Virgil van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool, protests, but Bergvall is not punished; instead, play is halted so Tsimikas may be treated.

86: Tsimikas is waiting on the sidelines to return to the pitch following treatment when he makes the breakthrough for Spurs two minutes and five seconds after Bergvall's tackle. Referee Attwell books a Liverpool coach for complaining about the circumstances. An unopposed drop ball was the direct cause of Spurs' goal.

Ange Postecoglou, manager of Tottenham:

"We constantly have to contend with adversity. We got off to a terrible start and came very close to scoring right before [the Bentancur injury]. In situations like that, we then lose a vital player. However, all of my guys are tenacious and persistent, and they succeeded today.

"When you consider that there are two 18-year-olds playing out of position, it's astounding. A goalie making his debut and a left-back who isn't a left-back.

"We had to put in a lot of effort; the boys gave it their all. We are unable to alter the notable talent they shown. However, the men persisted, and we were rewarded with a goal.

Slot: I didn't think we would lose.

"I didn't think we would lose this game. Spurs had a stronger start than us, but we took charge and had a lot more ball possession after that. When playing against a team as good at football as Tottenham, you can [score] if you drop to 10 for a short while.

It's preferable to lose a game when there is still a second leg left to play. It's not at all ideal.

"I don't believe that we'll win every game by that score [6-3]." We all understand how crucial it is for us to make it to the final, as well as for Spurs supporters. We were aware that the game would never be the same as it was two weeks prior.