“I’ve seen so much growth”
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou admits he has seen “so much growth” in his team despite recent results after Spurs beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Teenager Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for the club four minutes from time, ending Liverpool’s 24-match unbeaten run and giving Tottenham a narrow lead ahead of the return leg at Anfield in a month’s time.
The win was Spurs’ first since beating Manchester United in the last 16 as Postecoglou’s side look to revitalize their season.
Victory in the first leg! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktX5W2OTjA
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025
However, the game was marred by what appeared to be a very serious injury to Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half, which resulted in the midfielder being taken to hospital.
Postecoglou said Bentancur was now conscious but admitted he did not have “all the information.”
Speaking about his team’s performance, the Spurs boss was quick to praise the players.
“I thought we deserved it that night,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.
“The boys gave it their all and I’m really happy that the players are being rewarded.
“We constantly have to deal with adversity. It’s incredible to think that there are a bunch of 18 year olds out there. I’ve seen so much growth, it’s just masked by our poor form.
“But it’s only half time and it’s not easy going to Liverpool.”
One of the main points of discussion after the game was whether match-winner Bergvall should have been on the pitch to score his goal.
Ange Postecoglou passionately defends the decision to keep Lucas Bergvall on the pitch 👀 pic.twitter.com/doOpVc0BEE
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 8, 2025
Just before he hit the goal, the Swede, who already had a yellow card, fouled Konstantinos Tsimikas, but referee Stuart Attwell decided not to caution him.
When asked whether his player was lucky enough to be on the pitch, the Spurs boss defended the decision: “We’ve been screaming about it for months, it happened to us all the time.”
“If advantage is taken, if it is not a cynical tackle, no yellow card is given. It was pretty clear to me.”
Next up for Spurs is a trip to National League side Tamworth in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
