In a stunning turn of events, Tottenham Hotspur secured a 1-0 victory over the reigning champions Liverpool in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday.
The breakthrough moment came in the 86th minute when 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall, marking his first goal for Tottenham, fired a superb shot past Liverpool's Alisson. This decisive goal not only ended Liverpool's impressive 24-match unbeaten streak but also silenced the home crowd.
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm and were visibly affected by recent injuries, including the disallowed goal by Dominic Solanke. Bergvall, who had already received a yellow card, narrowly avoided a second booking after a foul on Kostas Tsimikas moments before his late strike, a decision that Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk criticized.
\"He should have been off, it was a big moment,\" van Dijk remarked post-match.
Tottenham, under pressure from their recent form with only three wins in the past 14 games and dealing with key injuries, showcased resilience. The introduction of new goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky paid off, ensuring they hold a narrow advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield next month.
Elsewhere in the semifinals, Newcastle United triumphed over Arsenal with a 2-0 away win, setting up an exciting clash in the next round.
For Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou, who had confidently predicted trophy success in his second season, the victory offers a glimmer of hope amidst mounting pressure following inconsistent results.
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Tottenham Hotspur defeat Liverpool in first leg of EFL Cup semifinals
cgtn.com
