EFL Cup: Arsenal’s Big Chance to Bring Down Shorthanded Liverpool

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal have a great chance to make it to their first EFL Cup final in four years. The Gunners will host the first leg of their semi-final tie against a severely shorthanded Liverpool side that will not only be without AFCON-bound Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, but could also be dealing with some Covid absentees.

Arsenal have been in fantastic form in the cup, with their second-stringers blowing away the competition in the first few rounds.

And now, the EFL Cup 2022 betting odds will be in their favour to make the final against a significantly limited Liverpool.

Talking Points 

Arsenal look to bounce back from City disappointment

Arsenal suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Manchester City over the weekend. The Gunners took the early lead after a fantastic first-half performance, but they fell apart early in the second half as they conceded a penalty and had a man sent off in the space of just a few minutes. Rodri then popped up to score City’s stoppage-time winner.

That defeat put an end to Arsenal’s five-game winning streak in all competitions, a run which included a 5-1 smashing of Sunderland in the EFL quarter-finals.

Despite their second-half meltdown, Mikel Arteta should still take some positives from his side’s first-half showing against City. They outplayed the defending Premier League champions quite convincingly and still seem to be on the right path.

However, it remains to be seen whether Arteta – who could once again be missing on the touchline due to Covid – will field his first-string side in this cup semi-final against Liverpool or stick with the players who got the Gunners in this position.

Eddie Nketiah and Nicolas Pepe, in particular, have been terrific in this tournament, and will be eager to create more EFL Cup 2022 highlights. Nketiah is the competition’s leading scorer with five goals, including a sensational hat-trick against Sunderland in the quarter-finals, while Pepe has two goals and four assists in three games.

Youngsters such as Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga could also be brought in if Arteta chooses to significantly rotate his side.

Liverpool left severely depleted by AFCON, Covid

It has been a disastrous last few weeks for Liverpool as a draw to Tottenham, a shock loss to Leicester and another draw to Chelsea have severely dented their Premier League championship hopes.

The Reds looked set for a big win at Stamford Bridge this past weekend after Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah put them 2-0 up after just 26 minutes. But they were unable to hold onto that lead as Chelsea came storming back just before half-time.

Liverpool were without manager Jurgen Klopp, as well as goalkeeper Alisson, centre-back Joel Matip and centre-forward Roberto Firmino due to Covid, and it remains to be seen when they will return. And to add to the Reds’ woes, Salah, Mane, and Naby Keita are all off to the African Cup of Nations, which will leave Klopp even more shorthanded up front.

Diogo Jota, Divock Origi, and Takumi Minamino could be the only forwards left available. Minamino has been brilliant in the cup, though, with four goals and an assist to his name. He had a goal and an assist in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw and penalty shootout win over Leicester in the last round.

Klopp is also likely to rest the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, which means a host of squad players and youth players could be handed the start in this semi-final.

History

Arsenal have not had much success against Liverpool in the Premier League of late. They have lost their last three meetings to the Reds by an aggregate score of 10-1.

Liverpool thumped Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield in their first meeting this season. They also stormed to a 3-0 win on their last visit to the Emirates.

Although, Arteta’s men did get the better of Klopp’s side in the EFL Cup last year as they won their fourth-round tie on penalties.

This will be the third year in a row that the two sides will meet in the EFL Cup. The first of those three ties was a thrilling 5-5 in 2019, which Liverpool won on penalties.

Betting Tip

	Arsenal vs Liverpool	1X2 Arsenal @ 2.30
	January 7, 03:45 (GMT+8)

SBOTOP odds have Arsenal installed as 2.30 favourites to beat Liverpool, who are priced at 3.05. Meanwhile, a draw is at 3.20.

Arsenal’s odds are certainly quite appealing. They are in fine form at the moment – the four minutes of madness in the second half against City aside – and they will be at home. They will also have their full complement of stars available either from the start or off the bench, something that Liverpool will not have due to AFCON and possibly Covid.

These factors point toward an Arsenal win, so look for the Gunners to take some sort of advantage back to Anfield for the second leg.

 

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