Arne Slot and Ange Postecoglou ridicule VAR change after decision was announced over stadium speakers for the first time in Carabao Cup clash between Liverpool and Tottenham

Both managers from a historic game ridiculed the thing that made it so after Tottenham defeated Liverpool in the Carabao Cup – by slamming VAR.

Tottenham will take a 1-0 lead to Anfield for the second leg of the semi-final tie in a month’s time after Lucas Bergvall’s controversial goal proved enough for the hosts to get the win on Wednesday.

Bergvall scored just minutes from time after good work from Dominic Solanke, but the Liverpool camp claimed he shouldn’t have been on the pitch after avoiding a second yellow card for fouling Kostas Tsimikas as Liverpool broke moments before.

But the goal did stand, and it wasn’t the first time Spurs found the back of the net in the game – though the first goal was ruled out for offiside.

It also marked the first time a referee announced a VAR decision to fans inside the ground, with Stuart Attwell taking to the microphone to detail how Solanke had strayed into an offside position.

The announcement was met with jeers from fans inside the stadium, and the two managers didn’t take well to it either, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot the first to have his say.

Slot said ‘you don’t need to explain anything’ after the first announcement was made in his side’s defeat by Tottenham

Postecoglou, meanwhile, said the linesman should have ‘put your flag up and get on with it’

‘If it is offside, you don’t need to explain anything,’ said Slot. ‘Everyone saw it on the screen.

‘It would be more interesting for everyone why he didn’t explain the second yellow card than why he cancelled the goal.’

Postecoglou, meanwhile, added via Sky Sports: ‘If people think that announcement tonight then I am sorry. Really, just get on with it mate, it used to be just put your flag up and get on with it. Doesn’t matter.

He later added: ‘I am surprised at how people in this country are so easily letting the game change so much so quickly,’ he said.

‘I thought more people would be protecting the sanctity of the game. You guys think you are custodians of the game. You sing It’s Coming Home, yet it takes an Aussie from the other side of the world to speak up. Today it advantaged us. Just leave the game alone for a bit.’

As part of a new in-stadium trial of VAR announcements for both semi-finals in the Carabao Cup, Attwell subsequently revealed the reason for the goal being disallowed to the crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The official blew his whistle, before he added: ‘After a review Dominic Solanke was in an offside position,’ as his words sounded over the tannoy inside the ground. 

There was a predictable level of frustration from the home supporters as boos rang out after the explanation.

The first call came when Dominic Solanke scored from an offside position – overturned on VAR

Referee Stuart Attwell then took to the microphone to explain why it had been ruled out

It was announced last month that the trial was set run over both legs of the semi-finals – with Arsenal taking on Newcastle during the first leg of the other final four clash on Tuesday night. 

The Magpies won the match 2-0 to shock the Gunners at the Emirates, yet no decisions were referred to VAR, meaning referee John Brooks did not have to announce any of his decisions inside the stadium.

Attwell will go down as having achieved a first in English football, with the EFL revealing ahead of the ties that referees would be required to announce the final VAR decision after taking a trip to the pitchside monitor or upon the conclusion of factual matters as part of the trial.