Tottenham 1-0 Liverpool: Match report & talking points as Spurs take advantage into Anfield second leg | OneFootball

Tottenham will take a 1-0 lead into next month's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Liverpool thanks to Lucas Bergvall's second-half winner.

Much will be made as to whether the young Swede should've had the chance to convert the match-winning moment, but Spurs were good value for their first leg victory on Wednesday night.

For the second game running, Liverpool were sub-par but they're far from out of the tie with an enthralling second leg set for Anfield next month.

How the game unfolded

Arne Slot perhaps surprised a few by going close to full strength on Wednesday night given the lack of respite his team has had over the past month. Breathers should arrive this weekend against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup before the league leaders travel to Nottingham Forest.

Nevertheless, the Dutchman did make four changes from the side that won 6-3 in N17 before Christmas, with the bulk of the switches arriving in defence.

Ange Postecoglou went as strong as he could given the circumstances, and there was an immediate debut for new arrival Antonin Kinsky between the sticks. South Korean Yang Min-hyeok was named on the bench.

Radu Dragusin forced a smart save out of Alisson in the opening exchanges, but their early momentum was brought to a halt by Rodrigo Bentancur's nasty-looking head/neck injury. The Uruguayan was stretchered off following a lengthy break in play, and, thankfully, later to be reported conscious.

The projected chaos never arrived in the opening period, with the contest suffering from stoppages. Tottenham, perhaps keen on avenging their December trouncing, competed fiercely and were the superior side for much of the first half, but the Reds grew into the contest after a sluggish and sloppy start, eventually forcing the hosts into 'cling-on' mode before half-time. Newbie Kinsky was infrequently tested, however.

There was no shift in dynamic after the restart, although the contest should've been ignited by a Spurs opener. After Bergvall worked tirelessly to eventually dispossess a casual Alisson, Pedro Porro inexplicably spurned two gilt-edge chances - the first of which was brilliantly blocked by Virgil van Dijk.

Slot opted for a triple change in a bid to light a fuse, with Liverpool intent on taking an advantage with them to Anfield next month. One entrant, Trent Alexander-Arnold, came close with a sumptuous half-volley, but the Englishman was expertly denied on the line by Dragusin.

The hosts then thought they'd taken a precious lead when Dominic Solanke finished past Alisson after latching onto a divine Porro pass, but VAR was on hand to dampen Lilywhite spirits with Stuart Attwell, through the medium of speech (!), confirming that Solanke was offside.

The Tottenham striker, though, played a key role in the opener and eventual winner. Solanke teed up Bergvall, who finished coolly, having held off Ibrahima Konate and picking out the onrushing Swede.

With Liverpool failing to move through the gears in the aftermath, Spurs held on and will take a precious lead to Anfield in February.

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Liverpool with work to do

Arne Slot's side have a deficit to make up / JUSTIN TALLIS/GettyImages

Slot's team selection depicted respect for the hosts, but it may have also suggested that the Dutchman was keen to wrap up this semi-final tie away from home.

However, after escaping with a point against Manchester United on Sunday, Liverpool struggled through Wednesday's first leg just a few weeks after they wiped the floor with the Lilywhites.

There were archetypal surges, but the Reds were generally slow and cautious in N17. Tottenham stifled their build-up early and it took a while for their potent forward line to get involved in the contest. Passes went astray as Slot's side produced an unfamiliar display of incohesion, with their inability to create chances not only a result of their sloppy work without the ball but the hosts' dogged effort out of possession.

A 1-0 disadvantage is far from insurmountable, especially with the second leg arriving at ground where superior Tottenham teams have died rapid deaths in the past. However, there's plenty for Slot to ponder.

Tottenham's young guns step up

Match-winner / Sebastian Frej/MB Media/GettyImages

Much was made of Postecoglou's decision to withdraw Lucas Bergvall in the second half of Spurs' defeat to Newcastle on Saturday, but James Maddison and Pape Sarr's suspensions meant the Swede's freshness was required against the Reds.

It initially appeared as if Bergvall would be given the chance to flourish in a free midfield role, but Bentancur's forced withdrawal made Ange change tack. With Dejan Kulusevski shifting infield, the young midfielder had to be stationed closer to Yves Bissouma, but the Bergvall wasn't deterred, as was the case on Saturday, by performing a more disciplined role.

Bergvall, along with the similarly impressive Archie Gray and Djed Spence, manifest the bravery and fearlessness their manager encourages them to play with. While Gray stepped up imperiously, Spence refused to care that Mohamed Salah was closest in attendance, Bergvall's effort without the ball was outstanding.

He was perhaps fortunate to have remained on the pitch, but the 18-year-old was the deserving match-winner on Wednesday night.

An excellent debut / Harry Murphy - Danehouse/GettyImages

Tottenham have plenty of work to do in the January transfer window, and Johan Lange worked stealthily to get their first deal of the month over the line. 98% of the fanbase hadn't heard of 21-year-old Czech goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky before links surfaced regarding his imminent arrival.

However, he would've won plenty over on debut.

Short sleeves is an aesthetic question mark, but Kinsky otherwise looks the part. His work with the ball was brilliant throughout as he showed an ability to loft deft passes over pressers and hit raking long balls in behind. Most of the time, he waited until the last moment to release just to ensure a few hearts among the Tottenham faithful stopped.

The majority of Liverpool's efforts required routine stops, but Kinsky did make an excellent onrushing save to deny Darwin Nunez in the second half before smartly tipping an innovative effort from the Uruguayan around the post in stoppage time.

Are you watching, Guglielmo?