Tottenham vs Liverpool LIVE: Carabao Cup result and reaction as Lucas Bergvall scores late winner
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool: Bergvall’s late goal ensures Spurs take a lead into the second leg at Anfield.
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Your support makes all the difference.Lucas Bergvall struck an 86th-minute winner to earn Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Liverpool and a slender advantage after a cagey Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
Spurs were without 10 players for this tie and had lost 6-3 to Arne Slot’s irresistible Premier League leaders last month, but turned the form table on its head - albeit with a touch of fortune.
Match-winner Bergvall was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas moments before he fired home his first goal for the club to earn Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou a much-needed win.
Postecoglou had faced external pressure after a nightmare run of form amid a horror injury crisis, which deepened with Rodrigo Bentancur forced off early amid worrying scenes, but his injury-hit team with debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky managed to shut out Liverpool to head to Anfield next month with a narrow lead.
Relive the Carabao Cup action with our live blog below:
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Here come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of kick off in this semi-final. Both teams have decently strong line-ups but Liverpool will be the favourites to win tonight.
Newcastle showed yesterday that this types of fixtures cannot be predicted though so maybe Ange Postecoglou can get one over Arne Slot and lead Spurs to victory.
Let’s fine out, kick off is up next...
Tottenham vs Liverpool
This will be Liverpool’s seventh visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
They have won four, drawn one and lost one of their previous six trips there and scored six away at Spurs for the first time ever just over two weeks ago.
Ange Postecoglou ‘not a cheerleader’ for Carabao VAR trial
Ange Postecoglou has reservations over VAR decisions being announced to spectators when Tottenham face Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday.
As part of a pilot that has been introduced for the penultimate stage of the competition, the clash at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will see referees explain the outcomes of reviews to fans present at the ground and to viewers at home.
It is the first time in the English domestic game that VAR checks will be relayed in this way but Postecoglou – a vocal opponent to use of the technology – does not agree with the trial.
Ange Postecoglou ‘not a cheerleader’ for Carabao VAR trial
Referees will explain the outcomes of reviews to fans present at the ground and to viewers at home, over the two League Cup semi-finals.
How will VAR work in the Carabao Cup? Major change made for semi-finals
Referees will make in-stadium announcements on the outcome of VAR reviews in the remainder of this season’s Carabao Cup, marking a first for English football.
The EFL confirmed last month that VAR will be in use for the competition’s two-leg semi-finals and for the final at Wembley on 16 March.
However, the most significant move will be a pilot allowing referees to announce the final outcome of VAR reviews to spectators in the stadium and viewers watching at home.
This will include decisions reviewed by the referee at the pitchside monitor, or upon the conclusion of factual matters such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements.
Liverpool’s fine away form
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 16 away games across all competitions (won 12, drawn four) since a 2-0 loss at Everton in April.
In the club’s history, only between May 1987 and March 1988 (21) and January and October 1989 (18) have Liverpool enjoyed a longer run without defeat on the road.
Gakpo’s league cup record
Cody Gakpo has been involved in nine goals in his nine League Cup appearances, scoring eight and assisting one.
However, the only two games in which he’s failed to register a goal or assist in the competition have been his two games in London (semi-final away to Fulham and final at Wembley last season).
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
Some of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s more traumatic outings in a Liverpool shirt have tended to involve Real Madrid. Normally, however, it entailed trial by Vinicius Junior, a test many a right-back has failed over the years. If there are plenty of reasons to join Real, one is that he would only have to face the Brazilian in training.
In the week Real attempted to sign Alexander-Arnold in January, his worst performance of the season felt ill-timed. Perhaps only the right-back and those closest to him know for sure if the distraction caused by Real contributed to his substandard display against Manchester United.
Arne Slot, often a voice of reason, pointed out it is not the only difficult day even a player of Alexander-Arnold’s standard has experienced over the years. He afforded credit to the United double act of Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, citing their status as Portugal internationals, even if the inconvenient truth is that neither remotely resembles a left winger.
Why Liverpool’s squad worries go well beyond Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold
The league leaders are heading towards a 20th league title under new manager Arne Slot, and yet a squad rebuild looms on the horizon
Spurs edge the head-to-head
Tottenham have progressed from four of their seven League Cup ties against Liverpool overall, but did lose 2-1 in the most recent such meeting in the 2016-17 fourth round.
Also, Spurs have lost their last two League Cup games against the holders of the competition, most recently in the 2021 final versus Manchester City.
Can Liverpool reach the final again?
Liverpool have progressed from seven of their last nine League Cup semi-final ties and are looking to reach the final in consecutive years for the first time since a run of four between 1981 and 1984.
League cup legends
This is Liverpool’s 20th appearance in the League Cup semi-final and Tottenham’s 18th – the top two last-four appearances of any clubs in the competition’s history.
In the Reds’ previous 19 League Cup last-four ties, they have won the first leg on 10 occasions, with four draws and five losses.
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