EFL Cup: Can Depleted Gunners Go Ahead with Liverpool Second Leg?

Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal and Liverpool are scheduled to play the second leg of their EFL Cup semi-final at the Emirates later this week. There’s still all to play for in this tie after the two clubs played out a goalless draw at Anfield.

But after the originally scheduled first leg had to be postponed due to Liverpool’s Covid outbreak, this tie could suffer yet another postponement with the Gunners undergoing their own crisis at the moment.

Arsenal already had their weekend north London derby against Tottenham postponed due to a sheer lack of players. And now, they face a similar situation in the cup.

The EFL Cup 2022 betting odds for this second leg will be against Arsenal even at home as they deal with their issues. But should this match push through, do the Gunners have enough ammunition to bring down Liverpool and meet Chelsea in the final at Wembley?

Talking Points

Another Arsenal postponement possible

Arsenal caused quite a stir after they requested the Premier League to postpone their North London derby against Tottenham.

While the Gunners had only one player test positive for Covid when they applied for the postponement (Martin Odegaard), they also raised the fact that they were without several other players due to injury (Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares), suspension (Granit Xhaka), and the Africa Cup of Nations (Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe, Mohamed Elneny, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.)

But despite Arsenal receiving criticism for their move, the Premier League granted the Gunners’ request for postponement. And now, there might be a chance their EFL Cup semi-final second leg could also get pushed back amid Arsenal’s long list of absentees.

The Gunners will be pleased they are still in this tie. They held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield despite playing much of the match with just 10 men due to Xhaka’s early red card.

Eddie Nketiah, who had made several EFL Cup 2022 highlights with five goals in the first three rounds, was sacrificed after Xhaka was sent off, but he should once again get the start up front.

But Mikel Arteta faces quite a selection headache in midfield with Xhaka now suspended and Odegaard, Partey and Elneny all unavailable.

Liverpool look better in Brentford win

Liverpool will be quite disappointed that they did not have this tie all sewn up at Anfield. Despite 78 possession and 17 shots, the Reds could not find a way past the 10-man Gunners.

Without African star strikers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, Liverpool lacked that cutting edge in attack as the front three of Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, and Takumi Minamino were poor. They combined for just six shots in the match, all of which came from Minamino.

Although, the Reds did redeem themselves as they beat Brentford 3-0 over the weekend. Jota was much livelier with six of the Reds’ 27 shots, and he also hit the woodwork. Firmino supplied an assist, while Minamino came on and scored a goal.

Minamino is likely to get another start in the EFL Cup, where he has four goals and an assist in four appearances.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also played well against the Bees as he scored his first Premier League goal of the season. The Ox has been a cup regular for the Reds and has surely earned another start after his fine performance.

Jurgen Klopp could also be set to make a few more changes to his side, with the likes of Ibrahima Konate and James Milner likely to come in and give a couple of the regular starters a rest.

History

The first-leg draw between Liverpool and Arsenal was their second in a row in the EFL Cup. The two sides also played out a goalless draw last year in their fourth-round tie, with Arsenal going through on penalties.

However, Liverpool will be confident in their chances of getting a result in London. They comfortably beat Arsenal 3-0 in their trip to the Emirates this season. Diogo Jota bagged a brace, while Salah scored the other.

Betting Tip

	Arsenal vs Liverpool	1X2 Liverpool @ 2.07
	January 21, 03:45 (GMT+8)

Despite Liverpool missing Salah and Mane, SBOTOP odds still have the Reds installed as 2.07 favourites to win the second leg away from home and move on to the final. Arsenal are priced at 3.30 to get the home win, while a draw is not far behind at 3.40.

Given the Gunners’ shortage of players, Liverpool clearly have the upper hand in this tie should it push through as currently scheduled. The Reds’ reserves showed against Brentford just how capable they can be, and they should be able to get the better of a significantly shorthanded Arsenal side to reach the EFL Cup final for the first time since 2016.

 

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