Thankfully, Liverpool have a second leg at Anfield to put right what was a poor performance at Spurs – a 1-0 deficit being well within the capabilities of Arne Slot’s men, who’ll feel themselves hard done by. The Tottenham goal, in the final 10 minutes, scored by Bergvall, who should have been sent off just moments earlier.
Neither Spurs nor Liverpool were any where near their best, particularly in a first half, notable only for what looked like an horrendous injury to Bentancur. Jarell Qansauh, one of several changes to the Liverpool team, also left the pitch due to injury in the opening 45 minutes. Those two stoppages led to 11 minutes of added time but, in truth, in almost an hour of football there was little else that will be remembered.
Liverpool could surely only improve in the second half, or so you’d think. However, other than Wataru Endo, who’d been forced to slot in at centre-half, everyone in a red short was below their levels. It was only when Trent Alexander-Arnold , Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz came on with 20 minutes remaining, that Liverpool sustained any real consistent pressure. Trent had a goal bound shot cleared off the line, and Alexis Mac Alister then had his follow-up shot pushed wide.
The game though turned on a two minute spell, after Solanke was on the wrong end of a tight VAR call when he thought he’d put his side in front. Yet it was the former Liverpool striker who had a big part in deservedly giving Spurs a slender lead.
A long ball that Solanke out-muscled Ibou Konate for, fell to Bergvall, who scored from close range. However, the goal was scored whilst Kostas Tsimikas was off the pitch, having been hurt whilst fouled by the goalscorer. Bergvall should have been given what would have been a second yellow for the tackle, having earlier been booked when perhaps he shouldn’t have been. Ultimately, it was a decisive moment and Liverpool’s bench was rightly furious.
Liverpool probably got what they deserved tonight. They simply weren’t good enough, but there’s an awful long way to go in this tie. Anfield under the lights beckons in three weeks time.
In the meantime, they have games in three different competitions, including two tough Premier League away games at Nottm Forest and Brentford before the end of January. The FA Cup also gets underway and the Champions League also resumes. It’s all to play for.
