It was a uncommon Liverpool loss in controversial circumstances however there’s probability to get well at Anfield in a month after Tottenham struck late for a 1-0 win.
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
Carabao Cup Semi-Last 1st Leg | Tottenham Hotspur StadiumJanuary 7, 2025
Purpose: Bergvall 86′
1. Fortunate Lucas, unfortunate Liverpool
There’s numerous speak about luck on the high stage of English soccer in the intervening time: Arsenal‘s xG one week, one other workforce’s accidents the subsequent, there aren’t any finish of excuses as to why different groups haven’t been nearly as good as Liverpool thus far this season.
On this event, nevertheless, Liverpool will really feel they had been the unfortunate ones as a participant who maybe shouldn’t have been on the pitch scored the one aim of the sport to provide Spurs the benefit from the primary leg.
A foul from Lucas Bergvall on Kostas Tsimikas appeared like the obvious yellow card you’ll see, however the referee Stuart Attwell didn’t give it.
Solely then you definately keep in mind Bergvall was already on a yellow, and will have been despatched off.
Bergvall went on to attain after some nice play from former Purple Dominic Solanke up in opposition to a nonetheless rusty Ibrahima Konate, and ideas instantly turned to the yellow card that wasn’t and in addition the actual fact Tsimikas was nonetheless off the pitch.
The commentators talked about it, and Arne Slot‘s assistant was booked for his protests on the touchline.
If Spurs have been unfortunate this season, particularly with the variety of accidents they’ve suffered, they definitely bought some luck right here, and it’s now all to play for within the second leg at Anfield.
2. Van Dijk world class even in defeat
It wasn’t probably the most high-profile or memorable video games, however Van Dijk was as soon as once more quietly glorious not simply within the coronary heart of defence, however within the coronary heart of the Liverpool workforce.
From successful headers to organising the again line with a number of personnel adjustments round him, he’s among the finest defenders and captains the membership have had.
Spurs would have scored instantly after an error for Alisson had been it not for an important block from the Dutchman.
Although he can look slower at occasions, when he does go into dash mode he can nonetheless sustain with among the quickest gamers, displaying as a lot in a single second up in opposition to Brennan Johnson within the second half.
Earlier than the sport, one of many Spurs mascots shouted to Van Dijk, “Come to Tottenham, we haven’t bought any good defenders in the intervening time,” little doubt echoing the ideas of many who merely admire a world-class defender.
3. Subs liven issues up
Slot’s slight rotation meant he had a lot of doubtlessly game-changing choices on the bench.
Darwin Nunez had a few good possibilities from a pleasant ball performed via from Salah however the angle was in opposition to him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold practically scored from a sometimes technical strike, however the ball was cleared off the road by Radu Dragusin.
Slot mentioned lately that he’s glad together with his squad and video games like this present why he says that. The defeat wasn’t right down to any lack of high quality gamers on the pitch.
Except somebody is bought, there isn’t any pressing want for reinforcements, although if there’s a probability to enhance the squad the membership ought to at all times take it.
4. Endo again on the again
As is custom, Liverpool have a defensive midfielder who doubles up as a centre-back in an emergency.
Slot has repeatedly mentioned he doesn’t need Konate to play extra minutes in per week having performed the complete sport in opposition to Man United shortly after his return from harm.
So when Jarell Quansah picked up an harm halfway via the primary half, it was Wataru Endo who got here off the bench to play alongside Van Dijk reasonably than Konate.
Endo is deceptively good at centre-back – maybe no shock given he performed the place often throughout his time in Japan.
Reminder Wataru Endo has performed extra video games at centre-back than he has in midfield throughout his profession thus far. Picture: Transfermarkt.
— James Nalton (@jdnalton.bsky.social) 2025-01-08T20:50:30.031Z
He’s higher within the air than his barely sub-six-foot peak would recommend, and naturally good at studying the sport.
Endo might need been upset to not begin this cup sport in midfield, however he confirmed his worth to the workforce, making some good interventions and providing a great outlet within the build-up.
A really perfect fifth-choice centre-back.
5. Second leg a way off
The subsequent cup sport is available in simply three days’ time, however that one is in opposition to Accrington Stanley within the FA Cup third spherical.
The second leg of this semi-final is a way off – virtually a month away – so there might need to be some reminders of the rating from this forgettable sport come February.
The Accrington sport will give Slot an opportunity to rotate once more and get all of his squad match-sharp earlier than the return of Premier League video games.
There’s a tough journey to Nottingham Forest on the playing cards when the league returns subsequent week, and they’re the one workforce to have defeated Slot within the league thus far.
Every part from this match, via Saturday and subsequent week, could have half an eye fixed on that journey to the Metropolis Floor in lower than per week’s time.
Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool
