Ange Postecoglou has acknowledged that it has been "an emotional time" for him as Tottenham Hotspur beat Liverpool 1-0 in their League Cup semifinal first leg to take a step closer to maiden final under the Australian boss.
[SUMMARY]"It's been an emotional time," Postecoglou said following the match.
"I am a human being. I don't feel great that people at this club, our supporters, don't have that feeling of victory.
"It weighs heavily on me."
Teenager Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for Spurs, rifling a superb finish past Liverpool keeper Alisson in the 86th minute to reward the injury-hit hosts, who shortly before had seen a Dominic Solanke goal ruled out.
There was some controversy though, as Liverpool felt the 18-year-old should have been sent off for a second booking in the build-up.
Bergvall was first booked for a sliding challenge on Luis Diaz, but then slid in on Kostas Tsimikas, with no card shown.
"I think it was quite obvious it was going to be a second yellow," Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk told Sky Sports after the match.
"I think it was pretty clear. He [the referee] made a mistake in my opinion and I told him that. He thinks he didn't but it was quite obvious I think and everyone on the sidelines knew it was supposed to be a yellow."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was seething and was booked for his protests, as Bergvall celebrated his goal.
Tsimikas was also off the pitch waiting to come back on with Liverpool temporarily down to 10 men when Bergvall scored.
Liverpool, who beat Chelsea to win the competition for a 10th time last season, were nowhere near their best and could have few complaints as their 24-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end.
Tottenham had enjoyed only three wins in their past 14 games in all competitions with injuries decimating Ange Postecoglou's squad and when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was taken off on a stretcher after a worrying fall early on, the omens looked poor for the hosts who gave a debut to new keeper Antonin Kinsky.
Liverpool won 6-3 at Tottenham in the Premier League before Christmas, but they looked lethargic for long periods on Wednesday despite finishing both halves strongly.
It was sweet revenge for Tottenham, for whom Bergvall showed why he is rated so highly.
Postecoglou claimed earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second season at a club but recent results have heaped pressure on the Australian.
The fans were singing his name at the end, though, as a first trophy since the 2008 League Cup moved a little closer.
The match was memorable for another reason, with referee Stuart Attwell announcing the result of a VAR review live to the crowd for the first time in the English game.
Attwll used the public address system to announce Solanke's 76th minute goal had been ruled out for offside via a wireless microphone to spectators inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and to TV viewers much in the same way referees do in the NFL or rugby union.
"If people think that announcement added anything to the game tonight then I am sorry," Postecolgou said.
"It used to be you put your flag up and the game goes on, but anyway."
Slot's side suffered only their second loss of the season but will still feel confident of turning around the tie in the second leg at Anfield next month.
Newcastle United beat Arsenal 2-0 away in the first leg of the other semifinal on Tuesday.
ABC/wires
