It hasn’t been the start to 2025 Liverpool fans would have hoped for, with the Reds still searching for a first win of the New Year after last night’s defeat to Tottenham.

Arne Slot’s side will have work to do in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final next month, although the Liverpool boss will be far from happy with the circumstances in which his side find themselves behind in the tie.

Lucas Bergvall scored the only goal of the game in north London, moments after bringing down Kostas Tsimikas with a late challenge but somehow managing to escape a second yellow card from referee Stuart Atwell.

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That moment of course didn’t go unnoticed by the UK’s media assembled at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, although there was plenty of praise for the hosts’ performance, while a major worry was raised for the Reds.

Miguel Delaney, The Independent

“It’s a bit premature to say this was a night when Tottenham’s young team came of age, but this 1-0 victory over Liverpool was an impressive show of maturity when they most needed it.

“An 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall appropriately settled it, crowning the fine work of fellow teenager Archie Gray. Ange Postecoglou couldn’t be more effusive afterwards, and that’s understandable. It might well save Tottenham’s season, just as Liverpool’s has a slight sense of lag. The Premier League leaders were still very energised about the controversial Bergvall goal that won this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with complaints that the goalscorer should have had a second booking, eventually seeing Arne Slot unusually lose his cool.

“It was symbolic of a display where his Liverpool were nowhere near the smoothness of the opening months of the campaign. Duly, this was the first time this season they went two games without a win, after Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Manchester United.”

Alyson Rudd, The Times

“The world is now split between those who admire Ange Postecoglou’s defiance in sticking to his attacking principles and those who think he should be pragmatic in the face of his undeniable injury crisis. This tie offered plenty of evidence about why the admirers of the Australian may have got it right.

“Instead of worrying about their injuries and poor form in the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur slowly grew in confidence in the first leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final and were rewarded accordingly. They will take a one-goal lead to Anfield courtesy of Lucas Bergvall’s 86th-minute goal and the neutral’s hopes of a final between Newcastle United and Spurs, two teams who really need a trophy, took a small step closer to becoming a reality.”

Rudd added later: “There would have been scrutiny too on Trent Alexander-Arnold, had his place not been taken by Conor Bradley. Alexander-Arnold endured a torrid time against Manchester United on Sunday, after relentless speculation about his future and whether he would succumb to the interest shown by Real Madrid. This match could have been his opportunity to show that he was not, in fact, distracted but Arne Slot chose to rotate instead.”

Matt Law, The Telegraph

“This was a night for Tottenham Hotspur’s youngsters, the kids in whom head coach Ange Postecoglou has placed so much faith and for whom he has potentially put his reputation on the line. No wonder he joked that he will not be happy if he is not around to see the real fruits of their talents over the coming years.

“Tottenham’s two 18-year-old’s, goalscorer Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray, were superb on a huge night for the club, while 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky kept the home side’s first clean sheet in six games against a team who had smashed six goals past them a few weeks ago.

“On so many occasions, Spurs have looked towards Heung Min-Son and Dejan Kulusevski for inspiration. But on a quiet night for the pair, the kids came to the fore and made sure Tottenham will go to Anfield for the second leg of this Carabao Cup semi-final tie with a lead.

“Liverpool had legitimate complaints that Bergvall could have been shown a second yellow card and sent off shortly before netting his first Spurs goal, but that should not overshadow his outstanding display.”

David Hytner, The Guardian

“It was a tie that had plenty of drama, beginning early on when the Spurs midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur, collapsed under no challenge when hunting the ball at a corner for his team. After lengthy treatment, he would be manoeuvred carefully on to a stretcher and taken from the field. Spurs reported during the half-time break that he was conscious, talking and bound for a hospital check-up.

“There was the not insignificant detail of Antonin Kinsky excelling on his Spurs debut, having had just two training sessions with his teammates after moving for £12.5m from Slavia Prague. The goalkeeper showed personality and made a clutch of fine saves.

“But it was all gazumped towards the very end with a stunning twist, one loaded with glory from a Spurs point of view, seeing the birth of a star – and coated in controversy when viewed through a Liverpool lens.

“Lucas Bergvall, at 18 years young, had strutted his stuff in midfield, playing with an absence of fear. It is not in his make-up to duck expressing himself. Yet he was on a yellow card for a lunge at the Liverpool substitute Luis Díaz when he cleaned out Kostas Tsimikas to try to prevent a counterattack. It was a clear second booking and Attwell chose to spare him. As Slot would later remark, there was no explanation from the referee to the crowd for that aberration.

“Moments later, with Tsimikas still off the field having received treatment, Spurs sprang forward, Porro finding Solanke, who held off another Liverpool replacement, Ibrahima Konaté, before squaring for Bergvall. Talk about making the most of a reprieve. Bergvall had never scored for Spurs. But he strode onto the chance to steer it past Alisson and Spurs were in dreamland.”