In a closely contested match on January 8, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The decisive goal came from 18-year-old Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall in the 86th minute, marking his first goal for the club.
The match was marred by an early setback for Tottenham when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a concerning injury within the opening five minutes. Bentancur received over eight minutes of medical attention on the field, including oxygen, before being stretchered off. He was subsequently taken to the hospital, where he was reported to be conscious and communicating. Later, Bentancur reassured fans by posting on social media that he was “all good.”
Liverpool, who had been on a 24-match unbeaten run across all competitions, dominated possession but struggled to convert their control into clear-cut opportunities. Their best chance came when Dominic Solanke found the net, only for the goal to be disallowed after a VAR review due to offside. This match also marked a historic moment as referee Stuart Attwell became the first in English men’s football to announce a VAR decision directly to the crowd.
The game’s pivotal moment arrived in the 86th minute when Bergvall, who had been booked earlier, avoided a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas. Shortly thereafter, he capitalized on a pass from Dominic Solanke to score the winning goal. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk expressed frustration post-match, suggesting that Bergvall should have received a second yellow card before his goal.
Tottenham’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, praised his team’s resilience, especially given the early injury to Bentancur and the recent run of mixed results. This victory brings Tottenham closer to their first major trophy since 2008, with the second leg scheduled to take place at Anfield next month. Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged the defeat but remained optimistic about overturning the deficit in the home leg.
The second leg of the semi-final is set for February 6, 2025, at Anfield, where both teams will vie for a place in the League Cup final.
