Lucas Bergvall strikes late as Spurs edge out Liverpool in controversial fashion

Lucas Bergvall struck an 86th-minute winner to earn Tottenham a 1-0 victory over Liverpool and a slender advantage after a cagey Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Spurs were without 10 players for this tie and had lost 6-3 to Arne Slot's irresistible Premier League leaders last month, but turned the form table on its head – albeit with a touch of fortune.

Match-winner Bergvall was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas moments before the 18-year-old fired home his first goal for the club to earn Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou a much-needed win.

Postecoglou had faced external pressure after a nightmare run of form amid a horror injury crisis, which deepened with Rodrigo Bentancur forced off early amid worrying scenes, but his injury-hit team with debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky managed to shut out Liverpool to head to Anfield next month with a narrow lead.

Liverpool put six past Spurs in the Premier League last month, but the hosts had a new goalkeeper this time after Postecoglou decided to hand Kinsky his debut three days on from his arrival.

Only six minutes were on the clock when a lengthy stoppage occurred due to a head injury for Bentancur.

The midfielder was taken off on a stretcher in the 15th minute after he appeared to head the floor from a corner – with Radu Dragusin denied by Alisson Becker moments later.

Spurs later confirmed Bentancur was conscious and talking and would go to hospital for further checks.

FULL MATCH DETAILS

The stop-start nature of the tie continued with young Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah forced off not long after Mohamed Salah had curled wide from outside the penalty area.

Kinsky made his first save after 33 minutes but it was a routine stop from Alexis