'It's baffling' - Liverpool controversial decision debated after Tottenham Carabao Cup win

Lucas Bergvall was the match-winner for Tottenham against Liverpool on Wednesday - but should he have even been on the pitch? The 18-year-old midfielder netted in the 86th minute to secure Spurs a narrow 1-0 win over the Reds in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg.

However, Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot fumed after the game that Bergvall should have been handed a second yellow card and sent off moments before he scored.

The Swede was booked midway through the second half for a late challenge on Luis Diaz. Then just three minutes before finding the back of the net, Bergvall escaped a second booking after lunging in on Kostas Tsimikas.

Liverpool's players were incensed at Stuart Atwell's decision not to hand Bergvall a red card, and Sky Sports trio Michael Dawson, Izzy Christiansen and Jamie Redknapp agreed and felt he was fortunate.

When asked whether Bergvall should have been on the pitch when he scored, former Tottenham defender Dawson said: "Well, if Stuart Attwell gets the first one right when he gives him a yellow card - he puts himself in a position, Stuart Attwell, because I don't think the first one is a yellow card when he goes in on Luis Diaz.

"The only thing is he gives Stuart Attwell the opportunity to make a decision and he got that one wrong. I don't think it was a yellow card. The second one with Tsimikas I've got no defence for Bergvall - I think he lunges, he catches Tsimikas. He gets one right, he gets one wrong and you can't even it up. Liverpool are certainly punished off the back of that with a few seconds later the ball in the back of the net."

Christiansen added: "And the second one there is worse than the first one which doesn't make a lot of sense. You look at Bergvall running off with his tail between his legs. It's rash and when he starts to get close to Tsimikas you're cringing because you know a yellow card is coming, then it doesn't. It's baffling."

Ex-Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Redknapp continued: "It has a monumental effect on the rest of the game. What then happens is he has to come off for treatment and that leaves Liverpool with 10 men. You can see Tsimikas, he has to come off for 30 seconds, they're the rules.

"Not only do you still have Bergvall on the pitch but Liverpool now have to play with 10 men. That changes the shape of the team - Endo and Virgil van Dijk, Diaz playing as a left back, it just has a huge effect.

"What I will say though is Spurs certainly make it count. It's a brilliant piece of forward play, Bergvall is the villain for Liverpool and he becomes the hero for Tottenham. A brilliant piece of play from them. If you are a Liverpool player, Liverpool coach, Liverpool fan you're thinking 'why is he still on the pitch and our left back not on the pitch?'"

Dawson continued: "I can understand Liverpool's frustration. Once the first yellow card has been given then you see the tackle on Tsimikas. If it's the other way you're wanting the second yellow card without a shadow of a doubt."