Unlike the nine-goal duel 17 days ago, which Liverpool won 6-3, tonight’s clash between Tottenham and the Reds in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final was poor regarding excitement. Probably under the impression of Rodrigo Bentancur’s severe injury, both teams put in a pretty disheartened performance before the break. In the second half, the rivals were a bit more inspired but failed to find the net until the 86th minute when Lucas Bergvall netted the winner and brought Spurs the edge ahead of the second leg – 1-0.🚨🏴 GOAL | Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool | BergvallBERGVALL HAS GIVEN TOTTENHAM THE LEAD IN THE 85TH MINUTE !!!!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/etFyabiCcc— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) January 8, 2025 Unfortunately, Rodrigo Bentancur’s horrendous head and neck injury in the fifth minute marked the first half and the entire clash between Tottenham and Liverpool, requiring a ten-minute break and immediate substitution.Ouch, this doesn’t look good. Speedy recovery, Bentancur.#TOTLIV #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/LfDWsVPaNQ— TribalGunner (@Aadan9374) January 8, 2025 During the opening 45 minutes, neither team was as concrete as expected, even though the gaffers opted for the strongest possible lineups. Radu Dragusin and Dominic Solanke wasted fair chances for the Spurs, while Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah were the most dangerous in the Reds’ ranks. Still, the rivals were goalless at the break despite the 11-minute added time.You Musk be kidding! Billionaire sets his sight on Premier League giantsThe first massive chance came in the 56th minute. Spurs’ Pedro Porro attempted twice to find the net following Alisson’s huge blunder, but his first try was blocked, and the second went far wide off the post. Arne Slot reacted immediately, subbing in Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Luis Diaz and trying to intensify Liverpool’s offensive display.##NAJAVA_MECA_8617626##The Uruguayan was the first to at least find a “hole” in Tottenham’s defence and threaten dangerously, only to be stopped one-on-one by Spurs’ latest acquisition, the Czech custodian Antonin Kinsky. Minutes later, Reds wasted another colossal opportunity. Only this time, instead of the keeper, Radu Dragusin deprived TAA of scoring an opener with a superb goal-line reaction.Slot’s crew was barely punished for the misses 12 minutes before the end, but Solanke’s goal did not stand out as the forward was offside prior to scoring. However, there was no mistake in the 86th minute when Solanke kept the ball next to robust Ibrahima Konate and passed it for Lucas Bergvall, who sent it home, making it 1-0 only second after avoiding the second yellow card!We can confirm Rodrigo is conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks.— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025 Liverpool ultimately failed to make a comeback, suffering their only second defeat this season. Tottenham will await the second leg with a one-goal advantage, though it doesn’t have to mean anything at Anfield.EFL CUP – SEMIFINALFirst legTuesdayArsenal – Newcastle 0-2 (0-1)/Isak 37, Gordon 51/WednesdayTottenham – Liverpool 1-0 (0-0)/Bergvall 86/
