This evening, Liverpool took on Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley Stadium in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, but the evening did not start off well for the Reds.
Spurs had a few early chances to take the lead, largely due to errors from the visiting team. Kostas Tsimikas and Jarell Quansah were both guilty of losing possession in their own defensive zone.
Just minutes after kick-off, Alisson Becker was forced to make an exceptional reflex save to deny Radu Dragusin scoring, but play was halted for an extended period as Rodrigo Bentancur required medical attention . A concerned silence reigned over the stadium until the Uruguayan was evacuated on a stretcher.
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Before this destabilizing delay, an attentive observer noticed the Liverpool captain deliver a few harsh words to his teammates after the team’s unenthusiastic start to the match.
BBC Sport editor Phil McNulty said at 8:10 p.m.: “Virgil van Dijk has just lectured the Liverpool defense after some really rash actions, first from Kostas Tsimikas and then from Jarell Quansah, both of whom conceded possession too easily in dangerous areas. Alisson has already made a crucial save against Radu Dragusin, and Van Dijk demands an improved performance.
First of all, our thoughts are with Rodrigo Bentancur, wishing him a speedy and full recovery from the injury he suffered.
-When it came to the action taking place on the pitch, Liverpool looked really behind in the early stages, with Van Dijk rightly expressing his frustration with his defensive colleagues for ceding possession in risky areas.
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The captain visibly lost his cool with his team-mates during the 2-2 equalizer against Manchester United at Anfield last Sunday, when both goals scored by the visitors came far too easily. Such displays of passion illustrate his high expectations of his fellow Reds.
Whatever happens in tonight’s game, Arne Slot’s side have a return leg at home in four weeks to challenge for a place in the Carabao Cup final, their third in four years. However, they will need to raise their game after that chaotic start against Tottenham if they wish to make it to Wembley on March 16.
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Video | Rodrigo Bentancur collapses during Tottenham v Liverpool and is taken off on a stretcher
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