Assim ficou o rosto de Bentancurt após a pancada em jogo contra o Liverpool pela Carabao Cup

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was rushed to a nearby hospital after a sickening head injury during their Carabao Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan midfielder was left unconscious on the pitch after a clash of heads early in the first half. He attempted to head the ball from a corner but landed awkwardly, striking his head on the turf.

Play was halted for almost nine minutes as medical staff attended to Bentancur, who was eventually stretchered off the pitch to a round of applause from both sets of supporters.

Tottenham released a statement confirming that Bentancur was conscious and communicating following the incident. The club also stated that the player would undergo further assessments.

The incident has sparked concerns about player safety in football and the need for stricter concussion protocols. The head injury suffered by Bentancur is a stark reminder of the risks involved in the sport.

The incident has also highlighted the importance of concussion substitutes. While the Premier League introduced concussion substitutes during the 2021-22 season, there have been calls for further changes to the rules to protect players from head injuries.

The incident has cast a shadow over what was an otherwise exciting match. Tottenham went on to win the game 1-0, thanks to a late goal from Bergvall. However, the victory was overshadowed by concerns for Bentancur's health.

The incident has also raised questions about the role of VAR in such situations. While VAR is used to review incidents such as goals and red cards, it is not currently used to assess the severity of head injuries. Some have argued that VAR could be used to provide a second opinion on head injuries and help to ensure that players are not rushed back onto the field too quickly.

Tottenham fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Bentancur, who has been a key player for the club since joining from Juventus in 2022. The Uruguayan midfielder has quickly become a fan favorite and his absence would be a significant blow to the team.