Tottenham will take a one-goal advantage away to Anfield in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg after narrowly beating the Premier League leaders in north London on Wednesday.

A goal from 18-year-old Lucas Bergwall proved to be the difference four minutes into the thrilling encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, the contest was marred by a very serious injury to Rodrigo Bentanker in the first half which resulted in the midfielder being taken to hospital.

Spurs have never been involved in a goalless draw during Ange Postecoglou’s tenure and it looked like the game was heading that way before Bergwall only found the net to hand Arne Slott’s side their second defeat of the season.

For Tottenham, it was the first win since their EFL last-eight victory over Manchester United.

Victory in the first leg! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktX5W2OTjA

– Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025

Ahead of the game, Postecoglou cited his side’s lengthy absence list as a factor in their slump in results in recent weeks, arguing that Salah would struggle to be productive in such an injury-riddled squad.

And Spurs suffered another blow when the returning Bentanker had to be stretchered off to hospital for treatment after just six minutes. .

Despite the change and the long delay that followed, it was Postecoglou’s side that started the brightest. The league leaders, meanwhile, were careless in possession.

Alisson had to be alert to keep out Radu Dragusin’s early effort, while Dominic Solanke flicked Son Heung-min’s driving cross just wide.

Liverpool were also forced into a first-half change after Jerrell Kwansah was replaced by Wataru Ando.

The Reds had two half-chances as the half approached, courtesy of Salah and Cody Gakpo, but neither effort really troubled Spurs new boy Antonin Kinkasey.

“Wonderful time to score your first goal for the club!” 🎙

Lucas Bergwall put Spurs ahead at the 85-minute mark of the first leg! 💥 pic.twitter.com/NxZxPt9vLH

– Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025

After the break, it was Liverpool’s shot stopper at the center of the action when Alisson was almost robbed by Bergwall as he tried to play in behind.

The Brazilian escaped the first challenge but Bergwall came back for another bite, forcing the ball into the path of Pedro Porro, whose initial shot was blocked but who then wasted the follow-up.

Kinski was called into action again after being saved by substitute Darwin Nunez. Dragusin then cleared the line from Trent Alexander-Arnold – another sub in the slot – as the game began to unfold.

Just under 15-minutes in, Spurs thought they had taken the lead when Porona’s pass found Solanke who eluded the Reds defence.

But the former Liverpool man was ruled offside by VAR.

Ten minutes later, the hosts scored a goal that counted. From another Poro pass, Solank held off Ibrahima Konate before laying the ball across to Bergwal who finished well from just inside the box for his first Spurs goal.

The visitors were disappointed that Bergwal was also on the pitch to score after avoiding a second yellow card for a foul on Konstantinos Tsimikas shortly before the goal.

In the end, the Swede’s strike proved enough to give Spurs a slender lead in the second leg at Anfield on 6 February.