Tottenham Hotspur secured a surprising 1-0 win over defending champions Liverpool in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday. The hero of the night was 18-year-old Swedish sensation Lucas Bergvall, who scored his first goal for the club.
Bergvall’s moment of glory came in the 86th minute when he rifled a superb shot past Liverpool’s goalkeeper Alisson, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The victory was a much-needed boost for Tottenham, who have been grappling with injuries and had managed only three wins in their previous 14 matches.
Despite dominating possession, Liverpool struggled to find their rhythm. Their 24-match unbeaten streak across all competitions came to an end, leaving fans and players alike in disbelief. The Reds did have a goal from Dominic Solanke ruled out earlier, adding to their frustrations.
Controversy arose when Bergvall, who had already received a yellow card, avoided a second booking for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas just moments before scoring. Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, “He should have been off; it was a big moment.”
Tottenham’s manager Ange Postecoglou, despite recent pressures, praised his young star. “Lucas showed incredible composure and talent tonight,” he said. The win serves as sweet revenge for Spurs, who suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League before Christmas.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will be looking to overturn the deficit in the second leg at Anfield next month. With their track record and home advantage, they remain hopeful of making a comeback.
In the other semifinal, Newcastle United defeated Arsenal 2-0 on Tuesday, setting up an exciting second leg for both ties.
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Tottenham Hotspur defeat Liverpool in first leg of EFL Cup semifinals
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