manager expressed his frustration over referee Stuart Attwell's decision not to send off Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall just moments before he scored the only goal in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.

Bergvall, who had already been booked, avoided a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas during Liverpool's counter-attack in the 84th minute.

The decision left Slot and his team visibly frustrated, a feeling that was amplified when Bergvall scored from Dominic Solanke's lay-off just two minutes later, securing a crucial 1-0 victory for injury-stricken Spurs ahead of next month's second leg at Anfield.

"When he didn't give the second yellow, I didn't think anyone would think it would have such a big impact 30 seconds later," Slot said. "I think the referee was probably also like, is this happening? For him, it was also far from ideal. I am 99.9 percent sure that's what he thinks because I can't look in his head and he didn't say how he felt.

"It was a good goal. Let that be clear, ball in behind, cut back cross and Bergvall stayed calm to score and finished it off. I don't think you are interested in that but the moment before."

Slot went on to point out how Ange Postecoglou had shown his displeasure after Tottenham's 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle on Saturday when the visitors benefited from Joelinton being able to handle the ball in the build-up to Anthony Gordon's goal.

The Dutch coach expressed his scepticism about football's fairness, remarking: "I was saying I thought I saw Ange sat here and unhappy with decisions made (on Saturday). People say decisions even themselves out but I am not a believer of that. I believe you can be unlucky or lucky in decisions in a season.

"Yes, a decision went against them (on Saturday) and went in favour of them today, which, of course, is very unlucky for us."

Despite this being only the second loss since he took over from Jurgen Klopp, Slot acknowledged the challenge Liverpool faces to overturn a one-goal deficit on February 6 to stay in contention for the trophy they won last year. Slot conceded: "The good thing is there is a second leg but it's a far from an ideal position for us. They are a good team and will probably have some players back for the second leg."

Meanwhile, Postecoglou couldn't contain his delight as Tottenham's makeshift squad managed to keep the league leaders at bay.

Spurs' new signing Antonin Kinsky shone just days after joining the club, making a crucial save in stoppage time to thwart Darwin Nunez and secure a vital win for the hosts, who were missing 10 players - a situation worsened when Rodrigo Bentancur suffered a horrific head injury and had to be stretchered off.

"Yeah, very proud. Again, we had to deal with some adversity tonight. We started the game really well I thought. Then obviously we lose Rodrigo, and in the way it happened, it was quite distressing," Postecoglou said.

"The players rallied superbly even as Bentancur later confirmed he was okay following a hospital check-up, adding on Instagram: "All good, guys! Thank you for the messages. Congratulations for the victory boys!!!"

Postecoglou further shared: "Again, we had to compose ourselves and deal with that and re-organise. Super proud of the players. I have been all along.

"It hasn't been through the want of trying that our results haven't been as good, it's certainly not been on them, it's just that we haven't been able to get the consistency to get the results that we need. Just proud that they feel good tonight, that they get the rewards of their hard work."