‘The ref made a mistake’ – Virgil van Dijk furious at Bergvall’s winner moments after Spurs star should have seen red
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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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.
Attwell could be heard on the loudspeaker explaining Dominic Solanke’s 78th-minute goal had been ruled offside.
Slot, whose side failed to score for only the second game this season, added: “It would be more interesting if he explained why he didn’t give a second yellow card than why he cancelled the goal.
“But I know that’s not the rule.”
Spurs chief Ange Postecoglou added: “I can see why Arne would be very disappointed but apparently they’re the rules.
“He wasn’t lucky to be on the pitch. If the advantage gets played and it’s not a cynical tackle, then it’s not a yellow.
“We’ve been screaming for it in the last two months and that’s what we’ve been told.”
Bergvall’s strike came 80 minutes after team-mate Bentancur fell to the turf in worrying scenes when going up for a challenge unchallenged.
He appeared to be knocked out, with Pedro Porro seeming to put his finger in his stricken pal’s mouth to ensure he had not swallowed his tongue.
After six minutes of treatment, Bentancur was stretchered off in a neck brace and head brace.
He received oxygen as he left the field — but was later conscious, talking and sent for hospital for further checks.
Postecoglou added: “It was some sort of head injury, but he was conscious when he was coming off the field.
“He’s been taken to the hospital for observation. Hopefully he’ll be OK.”
Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky hugged his sister after keeping a debut clean sheet following this week’s £12.5million switch from Slavia Prague just days ago.
The Czech, 21, said: “I’m a big dreamer but I never dreamt this one.”