VAR expert clears up if Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall should have been sent off vs Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, but the match was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Lucas Bergvall’s winning goal. The young Swede, who joined Spurs just days prior, scored the only goal of the game, but his celebration was quickly overshadowed by debate over a potential second yellow card.

Bergvall had already been booked for a sliding challenge on Luis Diaz earlier in the match. However, in the build-up to his goal, he appeared to commit another reckless tackle on Kostas Tsimikas. While the referee, Stuart Attwell, initially deemed the challenge a fair one, replays suggested it may have warranted a second yellow card.

This sparked a heated debate, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressing his frustration on the touchline. Slot argued that Bergvall should have been sent off for the second challenge, claiming that it was a clear yellow card offense.

However, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou defended the referee’s decision, citing the “advantage” rule. He argued that since the challenge did not immediately stop a promising Liverpool attack, and the goal was subsequently scored, the referee was within his rights to not issue a second yellow card.

This sparked a heated debate among football fans and pundits alike. Many felt that Bergvall should have been sent off, arguing that the challenge was reckless and deserved a second yellow card regardless of the subsequent goal.

Dale Johnson, a VAR expert for ESPN, weighed in on the controversy, stating that the referee had made an error. Johnson argued that Bergvall’s challenge was a reckless tackle and should have resulted in a second yellow card, regardless of whether it stopped a promising attack. He emphasized that the referee should not have played advantage in this situation, as a second yellow card should have been issued for such a challenge.

This incident highlights the complexities of the modern game and the ongoing debate surrounding VAR and its implementation. While the referee’s decision ultimately stood, it sparked a lively discussion about the interpretation of the laws of the game and the role of VAR in modern football.

Tottenham will now travel to Anfield for the second leg with a slender 1-0 advantage. However, the controversy surrounding Bergvall’s challenge will undoubtedly linger as both teams prepare for the decisive encounter.

This victory, despite the controversy, provides a significant boost for Tottenham’s confidence and demonstrates the team’s ability to overcome adversity.