Bergvall gives Tottenham first-leg win over Liverpool in EFL Cup semifinals

Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur to give his side a surprise 1-0 victory over holders Liverpool in the first leg of their English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Swede rifled a superb finish past Liverpool keeper Alisson in the 86th minute to reward the injury-hit hosts who shortly before had seen a Dominic Solanke goal ruled out.

Liverpool, who beat Chelsea to win the competition for a record 10th time last season, were nowhere near their best as their 24-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end.

They did have a legitimate cause for complaint though as Bergvall, who had already been booked, was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a foul on Kostas Tsimikas moments before he netted the winning goal.

"He should have been off, it was a big moment," Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk said.

While Arne Slot's side suffered only their second loss of the season, they will still feel confident about turning around the tie in the second leg at Anfield next month.

Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2-0 away in the first leg of the other semi-final on Tuesday.

Tottenham had managed only three wins in their past 14 games in all competitions with injuries decimating Ange Postecoglou's squad and when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was taken off on a stretcher after a worrying fall early on, the omens looked poor for the hosts who gave a debut to new keeper Antonin Kinsky.

Liverpool won 6-3 at Tottenham in the Premier League before Christmas, but they looked lethargic for long periods on Wednesday despite dominating possession.

It was sweet revenge for Tottenham for whom Bergvall showed why he is rated so highly – becoming the team's youngest scorer in the League Cup since Gareth Bale in 2007.

Postecoglou claimed earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club, but recent results have heaped pressure on the Australian.