Tottenham Edge Liverpool in Controversial League Cup Semi-Final First Leg
Lucas Bergvall's late goal secures Spurs' 1-0 victory, overshadowed by referee decisions and Liverpool's frustration.
- Lucas Bergvall scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, giving Tottenham a narrow lead in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.
- The match was marred by controversy as Bergvall, already on a yellow card, avoided a second booking for a reckless tackle on Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas shortly before scoring.
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot criticized the referee's decision to play advantage instead of issuing a second yellow, which left Tsimikas out of position during the build-up to the goal.
- Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a serious head injury early in the match, requiring nine minutes of on-field treatment before being taken to the hospital; he is reported to be conscious and undergoing further checks.
- The second leg at Anfield on February 6 will determine who advances to the final, with Liverpool aiming to overturn their first defeat in 24 matches.
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