Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool – PLAYER RATINGS: Who was calm and unflustered for Spurs? Which Reds star is human after all? And whose final ball was not up to scratch?
Tottenham recorded a late victory at home on Wednesday, giving them a narrow lead against Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The first half was overshadowed by a number of injuries that slowed down the game. The first and most disturbing event happened just minutes after kick-off, when Rodrigo Bentancur had to be taken off on a stretcher after falling in the penalty area.
A nervous, drawn-out half followed, with neither side able to gain the upper hand, but Tottenham started strongly in the second, with Pedro Porro coming agonizingly close to put the hosts ahead.
Dominic Solanke thought he was the one to finally break the deadlock in the 77th minute, but after his goal was disallowed by VAR, it was up to Swedish star Lucas Bergvall to play the hero with his winner in the 86th minute – only just moments after he almost picked up a second yellow card for a risky challenge on Kostas Tsimikas.
Here, JAMES SHARPE decides who shone on either side and who struggled in north London on Wednesday night.
Tottenham won the Carabao Cup match against Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday
Hampered by an injury, Ange Postecoglou’s team managed to keep the Premier League leaders calm at home
Referee Stuart Attwell played an unexpected leading role when he became the first official to speak into a stadium through a microphone
Tottenham (4-3-3)
Antonin Kinsky-8
A shaky moment on his debut, when he almost let Gakpo’s long-range shot squirm beneath him, produced a stunning save to kill Nunez in a fine debut.
Pedro Porro-6
Two huge chances squandered to put Spurs ahead when Alisson was robbed of the ball. Excellent through ball for Solanke’s disallowed goal.
Radu Dragusin-6
Saw a big early try saved, but cleared Alexander-Arnold’s flashy drive off the line in the second half.
Archie Gray – 7
The 18-year-old continues to look so calm and unflappable in a depleted Spurs backline. Kept Jota quiet.
Just days after signing for the club, Antonin Kinsky distinguished himself in goal for Spurs
Radu Dragusin was the able assistant to his new teammate with great goal-line clearance
Pedro Porro missed two good chances, but almost helped Dominic Solanke take top spot for Spurs
Djed Spence-7
I have always looked forward to charging forward down Tottenham’s flank and will pick Salah out of the pocket at some point on Thursday.
Lucas Bergvall – 8.5
Great performance and deservedly scored the winner…but should he have been on the pitch to score?
Yves Bissouma-6.5
Physical presence but often too physical and received a yellow card in the first half for an unnecessary foul on Jota.
Rodrigo Bentancur-6
Carried off on a stretcher early in the first half after an awkward fall during a header attempt, but he gave an encouraging thumbs up to Ange Postecoglou as he left the field.
Dejan Kulusevski-6
Regularly picked up the ball in dangerous positions, but had a rare night where his last ball was off.
Dominic Solanke-8
Never stops making a play for his team, thought he had scored but was offside and then set up the winner.
Bergvall may have been lucky to still be on the field, but he made the most of his time there
Solanke was almost the hero that night, until his potential winner was crossed out
Ange Postecoglou may have secured the crucial opening win, but lost yet another player
Heung-min-son – 6
He celebrates his new contract by running around a lot and throwing balls into the penalty area, but to no avail.
Replacements
Brennan Johnson (for Bentancur, 15) 6.5
Timo Werner (for son, 76) 6
Manager
Ange Postecoglou – 6.5
He fell to his knees when Porro missed the two big chances and will be sad to lose another player to injury.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
Alisson-6
Brilliant low save early on to deny Dragusin from close range, but twice robbed of the ball by Bergvall, who later buried the winner past him.
Conor Bradley-7
In for Alexander-Arnold and seized his opportunity, never shying away from a tackle and playing the most passes of any Liverpool player before leaving. Madrid calling?
Alisson was lucky with Porro’s early chance, but less so with Bergvall’s
Conor Bradley took the opportunity to take the place of Trent Alexander-Arnold in London
Jarell Quansah-5.5
Felt Van Dijk’s anger early on for being sloppy on the ball, before leaving injured just before the half hour mark.
Virgil Van Dijk-7
He spent most of the evening reading the riot act to the lax defenders around him, but he himself purred as usual.
Kostas Tsimikas-6
A summary of Liverpool’s sloppiness at the end of the first half when he passed a simple ball straight through for a throw-in.
Ryan Gravenberch-6
He was Liverpool’s midfield all season but for once had little control and looked like he needed a rest.
Alexis MacAllister – 6.5
Probably Liverpool’s best midfielder, but that wasn’t much to ask and gave way on the hour.
Kostas Tsimikas made a sloppy figure, but will think about Bergvall’s tackle for a while
Alexis Mac Allister was the standout in Liverpool’s midfield, but could not prove the difference
Mo Salah – 5.5
One shot wide of the area and another shot over the crossbar. Maybe he’s human after all.
Curtis Jones-6
Looked neat and calm on the ball but was evaded time and time again as Tottenham and Bergvall cut through the Reds.
Cody Gakpo-6
In the form of his life for Slot’s side and once again a constant threat on the left, but he couldn’t find the final ball when it counted.
Jota-6
Usually so good at coming on and connecting play, but he was so careless with the ball and was substituted on the hour.
Replacements
Endo (for Quansah, 30) 6.5
Nunez (for Jota, 60) 6
Alexander-Arnold (for Bradley, 60) 6.5
Diaz (for Gakpo, 60) 6
Konate (for Mac Allister, 80) N/A
Mo Salah is having a phenomenal season, but could not shine in North London
Cody Gakpo is still in blistering form but couldn’t put the ball away when it mattered
Arne Slot cut an animated figure on the touchline as he watched his team squander possession
Manager
Arne Slot – 5.5
Usually so calm and collected, but he was an animated figure in the dugout as his side continued to waste possession, subs doing nothing.
Referee
Stuart Atwell-6
Nearly booed from north London when he had to announce Solanke’s disallowed goal over the loudspeakers, Liverpool were furious that Bergvall was not shown a yellow card in the build-up to the winner.