Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is conscious and will receive medical treatment at a hospital after leaving Wednesday’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool after a sudden fall, with manager Ange Postecoglou classifying it like a head injury.
“We can confirm that Rodrigo is conscious, talking and will go to hospital for further checks,” the club said in a statement posted on social media at half-time of the match.
Bentancur came off in the 15th minute after falling to the ground during a free kick. Spurs were awarded a corner in the sixth minute, which Son Heung-min took. Bentancur advanced towards the ball but then fell, although he did not appear to be in contact with another player or the ball. He lay motionless on the ground before medical staff came to treat him. The medical team put a blanket over him at one point and also used an oxygen mask to treat him before he was stretchered off the field.
“All I know is that he was conscious when he came off the field. He was taken to hospital for observation. I don’t really know how that happened,” Postecoglou said .
It’s unclear what exactly caused Bentancur to go down and why he was treated, although the Spurs didn’t end up using a concussion sub when he was out. There was about 10 minutes of stoppage time while Bentancur received treatment before replacing Brennan Johnson.
The Spurs have been hit hard by injuries this season and Bentancur could join the list of players who have missed important games for the team. Ange Postecoglou’s team is currently without starters like goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and central defenders Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while striker Richarlison has missed a large part of the season due to various injuries. Bentancur was also forced off the field in August with a head injury.
