Tottenham player ratings vs Liverpool: Debutant excels as Spurs carried by unlikely trio

Lucas Bergvall scored Tottenham's first-leg winner against Liverpool (Image: Getty)

Tottenham edged out high-flying Liverpool by a solitary goal to take a slim advantage into the return leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final next month.

An exceptional 86th-minute finish from teenage star Lucas Bergvall decided the day and inflicted Arne Slot's second defeat as Reds manager. The tie is perfectly set up for a gripping clash at Anfield on February 6, where Spurs will aim to repeat the rock-solid display which stopped the visitors in their tracks.

Inspired by the unlikely trio of debutant Antonin Kinsky, former fringe player Djed Spence and wonderkid Bergvall, Express Sport takes you through how each Tottenham star performed on the night...

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Antonin Kinsky: 8

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Really good debut from the 21-year-old. A clean sheet against Liverpool is what dreams are made of. Distribution was superb, commanded the defenders in front of him and stopped a powerful Darwin Nunez shot from close range.

Pedro Porro: 6

Should have scored at least one of his second-half chances when Alisson was all at sea. But rescued himself with a good long ball which set Dominic Solanke free to assist Bergvall.

Radu Dragusin: 6

Another mixed bag from a player not known for his consistency. Let a cross go straight through him which should have been routine and could have been costly. But then an excellent goal-line clearance to deny Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Archie Gray: 6

Just about held his own on a tough night. Gave the ball away too many times but dribbled brilliantly out from the back to set Dejan Kulusevski free and start a dangerous Spurs attack.

Antonin Kinsky was brilliant on his Tottenham debut (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Djed Spence: 8

Tottenham fans finally beginning to see the best of him. Good energy, great strength, involved in the game. Shrugged off several players during a run across the pitch. Accomplished in tight spaces.

Lucas Bergvall: 9 (booked)

Really stood up to be counted in this one. Ventured forward and took care of his defensive duties. Brilliant pressure to force Alisson into a mistake, Porro should have capitalised. And then came his first goal for Tottenham, which was taken like a seasoned centre-forward.

Yves Bissouma: 6 (booked)

Dribbling out from deep is one of his strong points and he showed it again tonight. Picked up a yellow for getting the wrong side of Diogo Jota.

Rodrigo Bentancur: N/A (Johnson, 15)

Went down in a heap early in the game and had to be stretchered off. A real concern for Ange Postecoglou.

Dejan Kulusevski: 6

Started the game out wide and then dropped into midfield to help cover for Bentancur. Not as influential as he usually is.

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Dominic Solanke: 7

Things weren't really going his way until he sprinted into the box, outmuscled Ibrahima Konate and delivered a perfect lay-off for Bergvall to rifle home. What a contribution.

Son Heung-min: 7 (Werner, 72)

Put a really dangerous ball across the six-yard box which could easily have been turned in by Solanke. Lost the ball a couple of times but his running was tireless.

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Brennan Johnson: 6

Didn't get much joy out of his battle with Kostas Tsimikas.

Timo Werner: N/A

A late addition.