Lucas Bergvall scored his first purpose for Tottenham Hotspur to offer his facet a 1-0 victory over holders Liverpool within the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday (January 8, 2025).
The 18-year-old Swede rifled an excellent end previous Liverpool keeper Alisson within the 86th minute to reward the injury-hit hosts who shortly earlier than had seen a Dominic Solanke purpose dominated out.
Liverpool, who beat Chelsea to win the competitors for a tenth time final season, have been nowhere close to their greatest and will have few complaints as their 24-match unbeaten run in all competitions got here to an finish.
Arne Slot’s facet suffered solely their second lack of the season however will nonetheless really feel assured of turning across the tie within the second leg at Anfield subsequent month.
Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2-0 away within the first leg of the opposite semi-final on Tuesday.
Tottenham had loved solely three wins of their previous 14 video games in all competitions with accidents decimating Ange Postecoglou’s squad and when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was taken off on a stretcher after a worrying fall early on, the omens appeared poor for the hosts who gave a debut to new keeper Antonin Kinsky.
Liverpool gained 6-3 at Tottenham within the Premier League earlier than Christmas, however they appeared torpid for lengthy durations on Wednesday regardless of ending each halves strongly.
It was candy revenge for Tottenham for whom Bergvall confirmed why he’s rated so extremely.
Postecoglou claimed earlier this season that he at all times wins a trophy in his second season at a membership however current outcomes have heaped stress on the Australian.
The followers have been singing his title on the finish although as a primary trophy for the reason that 2008 League Cup moved a little bit nearer.
Tottenham had the higher possibilities within the first half with Radu Dragusin having an early effort saved by Alisson and Solanke bundling a Son Heung-min cross vast both facet of the prolonged stoppage for Bentancur’s harm.
Mohamed Salah, unusually quiet, fired one effort vast for Liverpool whereas Kinsky had a second of alarm when a shot by Cody Gakpo virtually squirmed underneath his physique.
Alisson virtually gifted Tottenham the lead shortly after the halftime, dallying on the ball and being dispossessed by Bergvall who prodded the ball again to Pedro Porro whose first shot was blocked by Virgil van Dijk whereas his follow-up try was clipped vast of a gaping purpose, a lot to the frustration of Postecoglou who fell to his knees within the technical space.
Liverpool virtually took the lead when Trent Alexander-Arnold, on instead, had a shot cleared off the road by Dragusin.
Tottenham dug deep although and Solanke was denied by a VAR offside determination through which Stuart Attwell turned the primary referee to announce it on to the group.
The hosts wouldn’t be denied although and Bergvall despatched the house followers into raptures after nice work by Solanke.
Revealed – January 09, 2025 11:16 am IST
