Liverpool beat Arsenal in the semi-final second leg to reach the League Cup final

After a goalless draw in the first leg at Anfield with a man behind, Arsenal scored in front of their fans just five minutes before the match with the crossbar. Alexandre Lacazette’s free kick from the edge of the penalty area guides Liverpool goalkeeper Kawimhen Kelleher to the crossbar with his fingertips (5′).

After 15 minutes, Liverpool also got the goal scream for the first time, but Joel Matip’s corner kick was blocked because the former Schalke player was offside (14).

Shortly thereafter, the Reds celebrated again and this time conceding the opening goal as well: Diogo Jota scored from the left flank, walked into the penalty area under the custodian of Arsenal’s defense and caught Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale relatively unharmed. Low shot in the left corner with the wrong foot (19′).

Klopp’s side then managed the match without any major problems against long distances from the passive defender and narrowly advanced in the break.

The second half got off to a lively start with plenty of chances for both sides: Lacazette had just crossed his own free kick from 13 meters for the Gunners (49th place). On the other side, 17-year-old Cade Gordon miserably missed from five yards (52), and shortly thereafter Ibrahim Konate, who came in for Matip, hit the post with a powerful header after a corner kick.

Fifteen minutes before the end of the match, the outstanding Jota made the decision again. After a long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jota grabbed the ball with his chest and then pasted Ramsdale in a technically demanding fashion to make it 2-0 (77).

From Arsenal’s point of view, Thomas Partey made the final shameful point in the 90th minute, receiving two yellow cards within three minutes and having to leave the field just 16 minutes after being substituted.

In the Carabao Cup final on February 27 at Wembley Stadium, there will be a German training duel between Jurgen Klopps Liverpool and Chelsea for coach Thomas Tuchel.

Game sounds:

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal coach): “We started the game well from the start and at the beginning of the second half. Unfortunately, we failed to score in those moments. Liverpool has an incredible quality in attack.”

Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool coach): “The mood in the dressing room is great. It was a tough match in difficult times, but the players were exceptional. Jota has developed into a world-class striker with us.”

Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): “We played mature and dominated the match for long periods. We kept our cool in difficult situations and I think we deserved to be in the final.”

Tweet about the game:

That was notable: the changes in the situation are making Arsenal desperate

Liverpool’s positional play in the opponent’s half was a big problem for Arsenal that night. Time and time again, Firmino and Goeta in particular let themselves fall deeply from the front thus creating space in their backs, which both Alexander Arnold and Robertson gratefully used. Liverpool’s diversity in the final third caused Arsenal to face major coordination problems at the defensive level, which meant that Arteta’s team did not have access to the guest attackers, who were constantly rolling, for extended periods.

Stats: 39

Liverpool were unbeaten in all competitions in their last 39 games as Klopp’s side led at the break. Recently, the Reds lost in the 2018 Champions League in Rome after leading by half time.