Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has criticized referee Stuart Attwell for failing to send off Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall during the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, where Liverpool suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Bergvall, who had been booked earlier for a reckless challenge on Luis Diaz, avoided a second yellow card for a later foul on Kostas Tsimikas in the 87th minute. Just a minute after the controversial decision, the 18-year-old scored the decisive goal, giving Tottenham a crucial first-leg advantage.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Van Dijk did not hide his frustration, describing the referee’s decision as a clear error.
“Listen, I think it was quite obvious that it was going to be a second yellow,” the Netherlands international said. “It was a coincidence that a minute later he scores the winner. He made a mistake in my opinion, and I told him that. Everyone on the sideline knew it was supposed to be a yellow.”
Bergvall’s late strike at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium leaves Liverpool needing a strong comeback in the return leg at Anfield in February to secure a place in the final.
Fans and pundits alike have questioned the officiating, with calls for stricter adherence to the rules in crucial matches like this. Liverpool will hope to capitalize on home advantage and overturn the deficit.
