Ange Postecoglou has provided an update on Rodrigo Bentancur after the Spurs star was taken off on a stretcher in the opening stages of Tottenham’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Uruguayan, who has just returned from suspension, started in midfield for the match, although his night lasted just a few minutes before he found himself on the deck in a worrying moment at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham started the match well, setting up for an attacking corner with Bentancur in the penalty area alongside several of his other teammates.
He dived for Pedro Porro’s corner but appeared to land awkwardly and lay unmoved on the pitch as the game progressed, forcing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson into action.
However, it was then clear that Bentancur would need immediate medical attention, and medics soon rushed to his side as players urged them to hurry and attempt to attend to Bentancur.
The 27-year-old received on-field treatment for a total of nine minutes as he left the pitch on a stretcher to applause from both groups of fans.
WARNING: Distressing images
Ange Postecoglou shared a quick update on Rodrigo Bentancur following his injury during Spurs’ Carabao Cup encounter with Liverpool
The player appeared to suffer a serious injury early in the semi-final and received medical treatment for about nine minutes
The midfielder appeared to fall unconscious as medics rushed onto the pitch to treat him
Asked about his player after the final whistle of the 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Postecoglou said his player was ‘conscious’ but kept further details close to his chest.
“I don’t want to talk, all I know is he was conscious,” Postecoglou said. ‘He was taken to hospital.
“It’s not my area, it’s not fair to the people around him.”
But Postecoglou was able to confirm: ‘It was a head wound.’
Spurs had posted an update on social media at half-time, revealing Bentancur was taken to hospital for further medical assessment.
“We can confirm that Rodrigo is conscious, in discussions and will be taken to hospital for further monitoring,” the North London club wrote on X.
Liverpool responded by showing support for Tottenham and the Uruguayan, writing: ‘We are all thinking of you, Rodrigo. Speedy recovery.’
Bentancur had missed seven domestic matches before returning against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day. He continued to play in the Europa League.
He was suspended for a racist comment about Spurs teammate and captain Son Heung-min, for which he apologized.
Tottenham appealed the decision, with the player also being fined £100,000, but it was dismissed and they had to make do without him for seven games. He also recently served a suspension in the Premier League for yellow cards.
However, he now appears set for a long spell on the sidelines after Wednesday’s incident. It was not made clear what the problem was.
“We’re all behind you, Lolo,” Spurs’ official X account posted moments after he was substituted.
He was given an oxygen mask and eventually taken away on a stretcher by the medical team
He had dived for a corner taken by Pedro Porro and immediately collapsed, lying motionless
Footage showed him diving from an awkward angle to head the ball before it hit the deck
A blanket was placed over him and he received applause from both groups of fans
Teammates had tended to him before medics rushed onto the field to treat him
The midfielder was pictured with his eyes open – no update has been given on his condition
He left the field with fifteen minutes on the clock, after initially going down after six minutes. The substitution was not a substitute for a concussion, and he gave the thumbs up as he was taken off the field.
The midfielder also had a blanket covered over him and was wearing an oxygen mask, although he was pictured with his eyes open.
He also gave a thumbs up as he was taken away, with Postecoglou checking on him.
If he misses more games it will add to Tottenham’s current injury crisis, which has seen a number of first-team players miss game time.
First-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been out of action since late November following ankle surgery, while Spurs have also been torn apart defensively.
They are currently without first-choice centre-backs Sergio Romero and Micky van De Ven, while back-up option Ben Davies is also missing.
Left back Destiny Udogie is expected to be out until February with a hamstring problem.