Liverpool Outraged Over Refereeing Decision as Lucas Bergvall Scores Controversial Winner for Tottenham
The Carabao Cup semi-final first leg between Tottenham and Liverpool ended in a storm of controversy as Spurs edged out the Reds with a 1-0 victory. Lucas Bergvall’s decisive goal in the 86th minute was overshadowed by a contentious incident involving the Swedish midfielder, who escaped a second yellow card moments before scoring.
The Controversial Incident
Bergvall, already on a yellow card for a first-half challenge on Luis Diaz, appeared to commit a second bookable offense with a sliding tackle on Kostas Tsimikas. Replays showed the challenge made significant contact, leading to Tsimikas needing treatment and temporarily leaving the field. Despite the apparent severity of the foul, referee Stuart Attwell chose not to issue a second yellow card.
Liverpool’s frustration was compounded by the timing of the events. With Tsimikas off the pitch and Liverpool down to ten men, Tottenham capitalized on the imbalance. Dominic Solanke set up Bergvall, who scored his first goal for Spurs to secure the victory.
Reaction from Liverpool
The decision not to penalize Bergvall enraged Liverpool players, staff, and fans alike. Manager Arne Slot was particularly vocal, criticizing the officiating and emphasizing the impact of the missed call.
“There’s no debate—it should have been a second yellow for Bergvall,” Slot stated in his post-match comments. “It’s unfortunate for us, and the decision changed the game.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk echoed Slot’s sentiments, questioning how such an oversight could occur with multiple officials, including VAR, present.
“With the referee, the linesman, the fourth official, and VAR, how does he not receive a second yellow?” Van Dijk asked. “I’m not saying this alone cost us the game, but it was a pivotal moment.”
The Liverpool bench also expressed their frustration, leading to one member of the coaching staff receiving a yellow card for protesting.
Spurs’ Perspective
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou defended the referee’s decision, suggesting the foul did not warrant a second booking. “It wasn’t a cynical foul,” Postecoglou argued, adding that the officials’ consistency in handling such incidents had been previously discussed with his team.
The victory was a much-needed morale boost for Spurs, who are enduring a challenging season in the Premier League. Postecoglou praised his team’s resilience, particularly following the loss of Rodrigo Bentancur to a head injury earlier in the match.
Pundits Weigh In
In the Sky Sports studio, former players Michael Dawson and Jamie Redknapp sided with Liverpool, arguing that Bergvall should have been sent off.
“Bergvall’s tackle on Tsimikas was reckless, and it’s hard to justify him staying on the pitch,” Dawson remarked. “Liverpool were punished twice: they lost Tsimikas temporarily and conceded the decisive goal moments later.”
Redknapp added, “This decision impacted the remainder of the game. Liverpool’s left-back was off the field, and they were left vulnerable. It’s easy to see why they’re so frustrated.”
Looking Ahead
The contentious ending sets up an intriguing second leg at Anfield on February 6. Liverpool will need to overturn the deficit while channeling their frustrations into a focused performance. Tottenham, meanwhile, will look to build on their advantage and progress to the final.
The fallout from the refereeing decisions will likely continue to dominate discussions, adding further intensity to what promises to be a fiery rematch.