Arne Slot frustrated to lose to Lucas Bergvall goal after red card reprieve

Liverpool boss Arne Slot bemoaned the decision by referee Stuart Attwell not to send off Tottenham match-winner Lucas Bergvall moments before he struck the only goal of their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

The already-booked Bergvall avoided a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas as the Reds counter-attacked in the 84th minute.

Slot and his Liverpool players cut frustrated figures, but their fury increased within 120 seconds when Bergvall rifled home from Dominic Solanke’s lay-off to earn injury-hit Spurs a precious 1-0 victory ahead of next month’s second leg at Anfield.

“When he didn’t give the second yellow, I didn’t think anyone would think it would have such a big impact 30 seconds later,” Slot said.

“I think the referee was probably also like, is this happening? For him, it was also far from ideal. I am 99.9 percent sure that’s what he thinks because I can’t look in his head and he didn’t say how he felt.

“It was a good goal. Let that be clear, ball in behind, cut back cross and Bergvall stayed calm to score and finished it off. I don’t think you are interested in that but the moment before.”

Slot proceeded to highlight how opposite number Ange Postecoglou had shown his displeasure after Tottenham’s 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle on Saturday when the visitors benefited from Joelinton being able to handle the ball in the build-up to Anthony Gordon’s goal.

The Dutch coach continued: “I was saying I thought I saw Ange sat here and unhappy with decisions made (on Saturday). People say decisions even themselves out but I am not a believer of that. I believe you can be unlucky or lucky in decisions in a season.

“Yes, a decision went against them (on Saturday) and went in favour of them today, which,