Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham took an intense turn, not just on the pitch but also on the sidelines.
The game ended in a dramatic 1-0 win for Spurs, courtesy of Lucas Bergvall’s 86th-minute goal. However, the spotlight shifted to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who clashed with a ball boy moments after the decisive goal.
The drama unfolded as Liverpool scrambled to restart play after conceding. Alexander-Arnold approached a ball positioned on a cone by the sideline, but a Tottenham ball boy removed it just as the Liverpool defender reached for it. Frustrated, Alexander-Arnold kicked the cone away, sparking a brief exchange of words with the ball boy.
As the England international walked back to his position, he held up six fingers toward the ball boy—a pointed reminder of Liverpool’s 6-3 victory over Tottenham in the Premier League last month.
This heated moment followed a controversial decision earlier in the match. Liverpool manager Arne Slot was livid that Lucas Bergvall was not sent off for a second yellow card after a challenge on Kostas Tsimikas. “I don’t think there is any debate about that,” Slot said post-match, arguing that the tackle warranted a second booking.
Slot further criticized the officiating, suggesting that the VAR process failed to provide clarity. “If it’s reckless enough, it’s a yellow. They didn’t stop to explain this one, which is very unlucky for us,” he said.
Despite the frustrations, Slot maintained a positive outlook, noting that the second leg offers Liverpool a chance to overturn the deficit. “Far from ideal to lose here, but if I have to lose, I’d prefer it when there’s still a leg to be played.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praised his team’s resilience but emphasized the work ahead. The narrow lead sets up an enticing second leg between these two fierce rivals.
Liverpool will aim to regroup, hoping to channel their frustration into a comeback at Anfield. Fans can expect another fiery encounter as the semi-final remains wide open.