I’ve seen so much growth

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admits he has “seen so much growth” in his side 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 to end Liverpool’s 24-match unbeaten run and give Tottenham a slender advantage going into the second leg at Anfield in a month’s time.

The victory was Spurs’ first since the last-eight win over Manchester United as Postecoglou’s team look to reinvigorate their season.

Victory in the first leg! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ktX5W2OTjA

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 8, 2025

The contest, however, 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 on the night,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“The boys gave everything and I’m really pleased the players get rewards.

“We’re having to deal with adversity all the time. It’s incredible when you think we’ve got a couple 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 going to Liverpool is not easy.”

One of the key talking points after the game was whether or not 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

Moments before finding the net, the Swede, who was already on a yellow card, fouled Konstantinos Tsimikas but referee Stuart Attwell opted not to book him.

Asked if his player was lucky to be on the pitch, the Spurs boss defended the decision: “We’ve been screaming for it for months, it’s happened to us consistently.

“If advantage gets played, if it’s not a cynical tackle, a yellow doesn’t get played. To me that was pretty clear.”

Next up for Spurs is a trip to National League side Tamworth in the FA Cup Third Round Proper on Sunday.