The first leg of the semifinal tie ended in a draw as Liverpool failed to use their Anfield advantage.
Liverpool and Arsenal drew 0-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semifinal tie on Thursday. Arsenal went a man down but managed to hold Liverpool at bay with a solid defensive display.
No goals at Anfield!
Both sides showed great hunger to score the opening goal in the early stages of the game. Arsenal even managed to make a few decent chances while gaining possession early on. However, a red card for Granit Xhaka changed the course of the game.
Following a run from Diogo Jota, Xhaka stopped the Portuguese forward with a high boot into the chest. The referee showed Xhaka a straight red card for denying Liverpool of a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Arsenal went a man down in the 24th minute while Liverpool were already mounting pressure on their backline. However, the Gunners managed to hold the hosts to a goalless draw while patiently waiting for counter-attacks.
Takumi Minamino came the closest in the final minute. Following a defensive mistake by Aaron Ramsdale and his defenders, the Japan international had the open goal to aim for. However, he blazed his shot high over the crossbar as Liverpool settled for a goalless draw.
The two sides will meet again in the second leg next Thursday. Before that, Arsenal will meet Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday while Liverpool face Brentford on the same day.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (7); Alexander-Arnold (6), Matip (7), Van Dijk (7), Robertson (7); Henderson (7), Fabinho (6), Milner (6); Minamino (6), Firmino (7), Jota (6).
Bench: Gomez (6), Williams (7), Jones (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (6).
Arsenal: Ramsdale (7); Soares (6), White (7), Magalhaes (7), Tierney (7); Sambi Lokonga (6), Xhaka (4); Saka (6), Lacazette (6), Martinelli (7); Nketiah (6).
Bench: Holding (6), Chambers (7), Tavares (6).
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