'He made a mistake and I told him that!' - Virgil van Dijk delivers scathing review of referee Stuart Attwell for one HUGE decision that went against Liverpool in shock Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham

Liverpool were handed a shock loss at the hands of Tottenham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final in north London after Lucas Bergvall scored an 86th-minute winner. However, the 18-year-old lunged in on Kostas Tsimikas just before the goal and was not sent off by referee Attwell. While the Liverpool left-back was off the field, Bergvall scored on the counter, with the incident drawing a lot of criticism from Van Dijk.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Van Dijk said: "I think it was quite obvious that it was going to be a second yellow.

"Obviously I think it was pretty clear [from what I said to the referee]. It was no coincidence that a minute later he scores the winner.

"He [Attwell] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. It was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow.

"There is a linesman there, a fourth official. There is VAR there and a referee, and he doesn't get a second yellow. I'm not saying this is the reason we lost today, but it was a big moment in the game."

Liverpool boss Arne Slot also criticised the refereeing decision that will now force the Reds to try go on a huge offensive in the second leg. The Dutchman told Sky Sports: "It was a good goal, let that be clear, Bergvall stayed calm and finished it off.

"But I don’t think you are interested in that but the moment before [the foul]. I think I saw Ange was sitting here and Spurs weren’t happy with a few decisions on Sunday. People say the decisions even up - I don’t believe that. They may have been unlucky and today the decisions went for them. It was unlucky for us because I didn’t think we were ever going to lose this game.

"Very unlucky, far from ideal starting position. They have a good team and have some players coming back for the second leg but if I lose I prefer to lose with a second leg to come."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou also provided his thoughts on the Bergvall-Tsimikas incident and told Sky Sports: "Now we've been told consistently in the last few weeks, because I've been screaming about it from the sidelines, because a lot of teams have got away with a lot of fouls with us, without bookings, because the referee plays advantage.

"We've been told consistently that if we play advantage, as long as it's not a cynical foul, then the player does not get cautioned. So that's been relayed to us on a weekly basis. Because we feel like that's been happening."

The result of the semi-final between Liverpool and Tottenham is far from decided as the two sides will go head-on again in the second leg at Anfield on February 6.