Tottenham claimed a late victory at home to narrowly give them the edge against Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
The first-half was overshadowed by a number of injuries which slowed play, the first and most distressing happening just minutes after kick-off when Rodrigo Bentancur had to be carried off on a stretcher after going down in the penalty area.
A nervy, elongated half followed with neither side able to get the better of one another, but Tottenham started the strong in the second, with Pedro Porro coming achingly close to putting the hosts ahead.
Dominic Solanke thought he was the one to finally break the deadlock in the 77th minute, but after his goal was chalked off by VAR, it was up to Swedish starlet Lucas Bergvall to play the hero with his 86th-minute winner – just moments after he nearly picked up a second yellow card for a risky challenge on Kostas Tsimikas.
Here, JAMES SHARPE runs the rule over who shined and who struggled on both sides in north London on Wednesday evening.
Tottenham sneaked victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in their Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool on Wednesday
Hampered by injury, Ange Postecoglou’s side were able to keep the Premier League leaders quiet at home
Referee Stuart Attwell played an unexpected starring role when he became the first official to talk to a stadium over a microphone
Tottenham (4-3-3)
Antonin Kinsky – 8
A shaky moments on debut when he nearly let Gakpo’s long-range shot squirm under him put pulled off a stunning save at the death from Nunez in a fine debut.
Pedro Porro – 6
Wasted two huge chances to put Spurs ahead when Alisson got robbed of the ball. Excellent through ball for Solanke’s disallowed goal.
Radu Dragusin – 6
Saw a big early attempt saved but cleared Alexander-Arnold’s flashing drive off the line in the second half.
Archie Gray – 7
The 18-year-old continues to look so calm and unflustered out of position 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 served as his new team-mate’s able assistant with a great goal-line clearance
Pedro Porro wasted two good chances but almost helped Dominic Solanke claim Spurs’ first
Djed Spence – 7
Always looked to burst forward down the Tottenham flank and will take Salah out of his pocket at some point on Thursday.
Lucas Bergvall – 8.5
Supreme performance and deservedly scored the winner…but should he have been on the pitch to score it?
Yves Bissouma – 6.5
Physical presence but often too physical and was booked for a needless foul on Jota in the first half.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
Carried off on a stretcher early in the first half after an awkward fall attempting a diving header but gave an encouraging thumbs up to Ange Postecoglou as he left the field.
Dejan Kulusevski – 6
Frequently picked up the ball in dangerous positions but had a rare night where his final ball was not up to scratch.
Dominic Solanke – 8
Never stops putting in a shift for his team, thought he’d scored but was offside and then set up the winner.
Bergvall may have been fortunate to still be on the pitch but he made the most of his time there
Solanke came close to being the hero on the night until his would-be winner was chalked off
Ange Postecoglou may have the crucial opening win secured but lost yet another player
Heung-min Son – 6
Celebrating his new contract by running around a lot, trying to whip balls into the box but to no avail.
Substitutions
Brennan Johnson (for Bentancur, 15) 6.5
Timo Werner (for Son, 76) 6
Manager
Ange Postecoglou – 6.5
Dropped to his knees when Porro missed the two big chances, will be gutted 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 robbed of the ball twice by Bergvall who later buried the winner past him.
Conor Bradley – 7
In for Alexander-Arnold and seized his chance, never shirked a tackle and played the most passes of any Liverpool player before he went off. Madrid calling?
Alisson had a lucky escape with Porro’s early chance but was less fortunate for Bergvall’s
Conor Bradley rose to the occasion stepping up in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold in London
Jarell Quansah – 5.5
Felt the wrath of Van Dijk early on for being sloppy on the ball before going off injured just before the half hour.
Virgil Van Dijk – 7
Spent most of the evening reading the riot act to the lackadaisical defenders around him but purred like usual himself.
Kostas Tsimikas – 6
Summed up Liverpool’s sloppiness at the end of the first half when he passed a simple ball straight out for a throw in.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
He’s been Liverpool’s midfield all season but for once had little control, looked like he needed a rest.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
Probably Liverpool’s best midfield player but that wasn’t asking much and made way on the hour.
Kostas Tsimikas cut a sloppy figure but will be contemplating Bergvall’s tackle for some time
Alexis Mac Allister was Liverpool’s midfield standout but was unable to prove the difference
Mo Salah – 5.5
Fired one shot wide from edge of area and put another one over the bar. Maybe he is human after all.
Curtis Jones – 6
Looks neat and composed on the ball but was bypassed time and again as Tottenham and Bergvall cut through the Reds.
Cody Gakpo – 6
In the form of his life for Slot’s side and was once again a constant threat down the left, though could not find the final ball when it mattered.
Jota – 6
Usually so good at dropping in and linking up play but was so careless on the ball and was subbed on the hour.
Substitutions
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 has been enjoying a phenomenal season but was not able to shine in north London
Cody Gakpo is still in lightning-hot form but was unable to put the ball away when it mattered
Arne Slot cut an animated figure on the touchline as he watched his side squander possession
Manager
Arne Slot – 5.5
Usually so calm and collected but cut an animated figure in the dugout as his side kept squandering possession, subs did nothing.
Referee
Stuart Atwell – 6
Nearly booed out of north London when he had to announce Solanke’s disallowed goal over the speakers, Liverpool furious that Bergvall wasn’t shown a yellow card in the build-up to the winner.
