What Arne Slot received mistaken as Liverpool and Spurs’ conflict overshadowed by Bentancur damage

On Jan 8, 2025

It was 18-year-old Lucas Bergvall’s moment on a freezing evening in north London – and Daily Star Sport has a look at what Arne Slot got wrong in the Carabao Cup clash

22:06, 08 Jan 2025Updated 22:06, 08 Jan 2025

Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool pointing on the side line during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 8, 2025 in London, England.

Arne Slot’s side were beaten 1-0(Image: Getty Images)

It was below freezing in the capital on Wednesday evening as Liverpool travelled down from the north west.

The Reds have been almost untouchable this season, but chinks started to show in their armour over the weekend against bitter rivals Manchester United. And it was more frustration for Arne Slot’s side on Wednesday in a clash that overshadowed by a sickening injury to Rodrigo Bentancur.

Both sides huffed and puffed, but it was Lucas Bergvall that was able to break the deadlock – with some Liverpool coaches livid he was still on the pitch. And Daily Star Sport has a look at what Slot got wrong on a freezing night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Dropping Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 08, 2025 in London, England.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped to the bench for the clash(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool fans all knew where to point over the weekend as Arne Slot’s side slumped to a 2-2 draw with their most bitter of rivals – Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpudlian didn’t have his finest hour over the weekend, and Roy Keane even joked he’ll be playing for Tranmere soon.

Even if Slot was simply rotating his squad, it sent a message to his squad that nobody is untouchable.

Alexander-Arnold was given a run-out, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute – prompting fans on social media to encourage him to “go out there and prove a point”.

Curtis Jones’ role

Tottenham Hotspur's Malian midfielder #08 Yves Bissouma (R) vies with Liverpool's English midfielder #17 Curtis Jones during the English League Cup semi-final first leg football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on January 8, 2025.

Curtis Jones struggled on Wednesday evening(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Curtis Jones has emerged as one of Liverpool’s top talents in recent months, but Slot got his role all wrong on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool were frustrated in the middle of the park – and it all stemmed from Jones’ inability to be able to get forward. One fan fumed: “Curtis Jones keeps slowing attacks down, easy first time ball to Kostas there, instead turns and holds it for 10 seconds!”

“Jones can be so frustrating with holding the ball sometimes,” a second said. And another added: “The drop off in quality is absolutely frightening! Quansah, Bradley, Tsimikas and Jones wouldn’t start for Crystal Palace…”

The Darwin Nunez conundrum

Antonin Kinsky of Tottenham Hotspur clears the ball under pressure from Darwin Nunez of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 08, 2025 in London, England

Darwin Nunez was also snubbed by Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)

We’ve been here before, it seems like a debate that happens every week. But where does Arne Slot go with Darwin Nunez.

Article continues below

The Uruguayan is running out of time at Anfield, and Wednesday evening seemed the perfect opportunity for him to showcase his skills. Nunez thrives on chaos and Spurs‘ high line presented that exact opportunity – but he wasn’t handed a start.

It really does feel like last chance saloon for Nunez now: it’s now or never for his Liverpool career.