Tottenham goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky revels in dream debut after League Cup win over Liverpool

Czech youngster stars with clean sheet as Spurs claim 1-0 victory and slender advantage in semi-final

Tottenham Hotspur's Antonin Kinsky celebrates after the match. Reuters

Antonin Kinsky hailed the best night of his life as he shut out Liverpool just days after signing for Tottenham to earn the hosts a 1-0 victory and a slender advantage after the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.

Kinsky only arrived from Slavia Prague in a deal worth about £12.5 million three days ago, but was immediately thrust into the action against Arne Slot's Premier League leaders at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 21-year-old responded with an assured display and a vital late stop to thwart Darwin Nunez before running over to embrace his family in the crowd at the final whistle.

Speaking after the match, Kinsky said: "Definitely [the best night of my life]. I'm a big dreamer. I make my own vision of the future. This dream, I had never dreamt this one. I'm so happy, I came three days ago and everyone is so nice."

Tottenham Hotspur's Antonin Kinsky hugs his sister after the match. Reuters

He added: "[I was hugging] my sister. Yesterday, I got to know that there was a possibility I was going to be playing. I called and they came, my sister, her boyfriend and my parents. It was so nice to have them here for this. I hope my dad is proud."

Spurs' victory – much needed after a poor run in the league – came courtesy of Lucas Bergvall's 86th-minute winner but was not without controversy after a cagey first leg in north London.

The hosts were without 10 players for the tie and had lost 6-3 to Slot’s side last month, but turned the tables – albeit with a touch of fortune. Bergvall was lucky to avoid a second yellow card for a late tackle on Kostas Tsimikas moments before he fired home his first goal for the club.

It was not all good news for Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou though, with key midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur forced off with a head injury after a heavy fall.

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

“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.

“Our fans as well, we’ve put them through a tough time, I thought they were outstanding tonight.

“We haven’t achieved anything, but I think just that feeling of having a victory against a top opponent in a big game, really pleased for everyone.”

Bentancur later confirmed in a post on his Instagram story, accompanied with a picture of him in hospital, that he was well. “All good, guys! Thank you for the messages,” he wrote. “Congratulations for the victory boys!!!”

Bergvall lucky to stay on the pitch

Liverpool boss Slot bemoaned the decision by referee Stuart Attwell not to send off the already-booked Bergvall, who chopped down Tsimikas moments before rifling home Dominic Solanke’s lay-off to settle matters.

“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 highlighted how opposite number 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 continued: “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.”

Spurs boss not a fan of VAR announcements

The game also featured a historic first with referee Attwell asked to explain VAR decisions through a microphone in a trial being conducted in the competition's semi-finals.

Spurs were denied an opener when Solanke’s strike was ruled out after VAR had checked for offside. Attwell had to deliver the news to the stadium with the first public VAR announcement in English football, but Postecoglou – a regular critic of technology in football – was not impressed.

“I’m really surprised with how people in this country easily let the game change so quickly,” he said. “It’s changed more since VAR came in then it has in the last 50 years. We never used to debate offsides, holding in the box.

“Did anyone really love the announcement today? Did that give anyone a buzz? We need to be careful and why do we want to change the game so much? I just thought people will be more protective of the sanctity of the game.

“I think there’s a lot of confusion at the moment off the basis of technology and I feel like why is no one speaking up about it?

“Especially in this country where you’re custodians of the game, you have a song which says it’s coming home, this is your game and it takes an Aussie from the other side of the world to ask about changes."