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Liverpool fans took to social media to decry referee Stuart Attwell’s on-field decision in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, January 8. Spurs secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Arne Slot’s side to put themselves within touching distance of reaching a cup final since 2021.
Before the match, Liverpool and Tottenham had already clashed in a Premier League classic that saw the Merseyside club win 6-3. However, the anticipation for another blockbuster match between both sides dwindled after Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou, before the match kicked off, said that his side would be without up to 10 first-team players.
After a goalless first half marked by end-to-end action, Liverpool began the second half by dictating proceedings. Meanwhile, Tottenham also had their fair share of chances despite their depleted team, and Dominik Solanke thought he’d given Spurs the lead in the 76th minute, but the goal was chalked off for offside.
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Four minutes from time, Spurs stung Liverpool with a goal that came against the run of play. Solanke was the architect this time as he laid a pass to teenage star Lucas Bergvall, who capped it off with an excellent finish. The goal later became a controversial one, as Bergvall, who gave Spurs the victory, committed a foul on Kostas Tsimikas in the buildup to the goal.
Bergvall had already been booked before the match, and Liverpool wanted him to receive a second yellow card for his challenge on Tsimikas, but Stuart Artwell refused to stop play or book the player, which in the end led to Spurs’ goal.
Fans were displeased with Attwell’s decision and took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their displeasure after the match.
An X user wrote:
''Bergvall literally should’ve been sent off for a late tackle on Tsimikas and scores afterwards. Stuart Attwell has given Tottenham the win.''
Another tweeted:
''That is absolutely shocking. Bergvall hacked Tsimikas while Liverpool were on the break. No second yellow and he scores potentially the winning goal. It was the definition of a yellow card.''
''Bergvall should’ve been sent off for this foul on Tsimikas…Blatant robbery'' @lfc_fede opined
''Liverpool are constantly just robbed by the horrendous officiating in England. It is pure corruption and needs to be looked into''. @talkinupsports added
The Athletic's James Pearce wrote:
''How is that not a second yellow for Bergvall? Clattered Tsimikas.''
''Not only is he not sent off for the second yellow but Tsimikas isn't on the pitch because of the rule that you can't stay on if there isn't a foul and you need treatment. Fucking terrible.'' @Knox_Harrington chimed in
''Tsimikas was off the pitch injured from the foul from Bergvall who should've been sent off when they scored by the way.'' @AnfieldSector wrote
Stuart Attwell made history by becoming the first referee in the history of English football to explain VAR decision during Tottenham vs. Liverpool Carabao Cup clash
Stuart Attwell made history in the Carabao Cup match between Tottenham and Liverpool by becoming the first referee in the history of English football to explain a VAR decision to football fans on the pitch.
Solanke thought he had put Spurs ahead in the 76th minute after receiving a long-range pass from Pedro Porro. However, he was ahead of the second-last man, Waturu Endo, before he received the ball, and the goal was consequently disallowed after a VAR review.
After VAR finished reviewing the goal, the camera surprisingly turned to Attwell, who explained why the goal was deemed invalid over the stadium’s speakers. The referee said:
''After review, Dominic Solanke was in an offside position in the build-up to the goal, my decision is offside.''
EFL Communications also released a statement on X regarding the decision shortly after the on-field decision was made. The statement read:
''Solanke’s goal was initially awarded on-field. VAR checked and determined that he was in an offside position and recommended that the goal was disallowed.''
