Liverpool manager Erna Slot also questioned the referee’s decision.
In the midst of moving forward in a great rhythm, Liverpool suddenly lost its way. After dropping points in the Premier League to Manchester United, who have suffered throughout the season, they have now lost to Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has questioned a decision by the referee at this rate in the League Cup.
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Tottenham in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Van Dijk has expressed his displeasure at Sweden midfielder Lucas Berival not being shown a second yellow card for a “hard tackle” at the end of the match. Minutes after the incident, 18-year-old Berival made the difference.
Berival had already seen a yellow card for fouling Luis Dias in the middle of the second half. So Tottenham would have been reduced to 10 men if they received a yellow card for making that tackle on Liverpool defender Costas Tsimikas in the last incident.
But referee Stuart Attwell continued to play and then Berival caught Dominic Solanki’s pass and sent the ball into the net. Greek defender Tsimikas was undergoing treatment outside the sideline at the time.
After four minutes of the scheduled time and seven minutes of added time, Liverpool could not repay the goal.
After the match, Van Dijk’s voice was frustrated with anger in his reaction to Sky Sports.
It would have been a second yellow card. The facts were almost clear and a minute later he (Berival) scored the winning goal. That’s just the way it is. I think the referee made a mistake and I told him that. He doesn’t think so, though. It’s pretty clear and everyone on the sidelines knows that. ”
However, Dutch defender Van Dijk does not claim that they have lost only for that reason.
“There was a linesman, a fourth official, VARO … He didn’t get a second yellow card. I’m not saying that’s why we lost. But it was a big moment in the game. ”
Liverpool manager Erna Slot is no different. Rather, his protest is stronger.
“The decision made by the referee had a big impact on the outcome of the game. ”
With the disappointment of this loss, Liverpool will play the return leg at home on February 6 in the fight to turn around.