‘The ref made a mistake’ – Virgil van Dijk furious at Bergvall’s winner moments after Spurs star should have seen red
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VIRGIL VAN DIJK raged Lucas Bergvall should have been sent off — moments before the Swedish teen hit Tottenham’s winner. That came after team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace and head strap after a heavy fall in this Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
![[Lucas Bergvall escaped a second booking for this foul on Kostas Tsimikas]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/editorial-use-no-use-unauthorised-962438487.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Bergvall struck the only goal in the 86th minute but just before he escaped a second yellow despite taking out Kostas Tsimikas — with ref Stuart Attwell playing advantage and deciding not to go back to book the 18-year-old. Tsimikas was then off the pitch waiting to come back on as Bergvall put Spurs ahead.
![[Tsimikas needed treatment off the pitch following the lunge]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000962444387.jpg?strip=all&w=900)
Liverpool captain Van Dijk was seen arguing with whistler Attwell at full-time, insisting “It’s a yellow!”. The Dutchman, 33, later seethed: “It was quite obvious was going to be a second yellow, it was pretty clear. “Then a minute later he scores the winner.
![[Virgil van Dijk reckons it's 'obvious' Bergvall deserved to be sent off]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000962444303.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“The ref made a mistake and I told him that. It was quite obvious and everyone on the sideline knew it was a yellow. “He should have been off. There is a linesman, fourth official, VAR and referee and he doesn’t get a second yellow. “I’m not saying it is the reason why we lost but it was a big moment.”.
![[Arne Slot gave the fourth official his verdict on Bergvall staying on]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/slot.png?strip=all&w=960)
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. Reds boss Arne Slot and his coaching staff were left raging after Bergvall’s goal on the touchline. Slot’s assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was booked for his complaints. The game was the first in English men’s football history to have VAR decisions announced to the fans in the stadium.
