Virgil van Dijk fumes over 'clear mistake' as Liverpool beaten in Tottenham semi-final opener

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·9 de enero de 2025

Virgil van Dijk fumes over 'clear mistake' as Liverpool beaten in Tottenham semi-final opener

Reds aggrieved Lucas Bergvall was on the pitch to score late winner after avoiding second yellow card just moments before

Virgil van Dijk was left fuming after Tottenham’s controversial winning goal against Liverpool.

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The dominant Reds’ formidable 23-match unbeaten streak across all competitions under Arne Slot finally came to an end on Wednesday night as they lost 1-0 away in the first leg of their high-profile Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

A tense contest in north London was settled just four minutes from time by Spurs’ teenage midfielder Lucas Bergvall, who fired low past Alisson Becker to register his first goal for the club after a long ball forward by debutant goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky was followed by some great centre-forward play by Dominic Solanke, who had earlier seen his own effort ruled out for offside.

It was a brilliant goal, but Liverpool felt seriously aggrieved that the Swedish international was still on the pitch to score it after he got away without a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas shortly before dispatching the winner.

It was a decision that baffled fans, pundits and players alike, leading to criticism of referee Stuart Attwell and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Paul Tierney.

Respective bosses Ange Postecoglou and Slot disagreed on whether or not Bergvall deserved a second caution, though frustrated Liverpool captain Van Dijk was fully in agreement with his boss having made his feelings to Attwell quite clear on the pitch.

“It was quite obvious that it was going to be a second yellow, I think it was pretty clear,” the Dutchman said afterwards. “Obviously a minute later he scores the winner.

“Listen, it is what it is. He [Attwell] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. He thinks maybe he didn’t. It was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sideline knew exactly it was supposed to be a yellow.”

Not only was Bergvall not sent off for Tottenham, but Liverpool were also down to 10 men at the time he scored the winning goal as Tsimikas received treatment on the sidelines following his challenge.

“The fact is that he should have been off,” an angry Van Dijk reiterated. “There is a linesman there, there is a fourth official there, there’s VAR and a referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow.

“I’m not saying that this is the reason why we lost but it was a big moment in the game.”