Arsenal will not be playing in the EFL Cup Final.
Liverpool are through to the EFL Cup final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final clash.
Two clinical finishes from Diogo Jota proved to be the difference between the two sides, allowing the Reds to advance to the final for the first time since 2016 and a record 13th time overall.
The Gunners struggled in the final third outside of one effort from Alexandre Lacazette that struck the bar.
While their evening ended on a low note when Thomas Partey was dismissed for two bookable offences.
Starting Lineup:
ARSENAL (4-1-4-1): Aaron Ramsdale;
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney;
Albert Sambi Lokonga;
Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli;
Alexandre Lacazette.
ARSENAL SUBS: Thomas Partey, Rob Holding, Nuno Taveres,
Eddie Nketiah, Ryan Alebiousu,
Karl Hein, Mika Biereth,
Salah-Edine Oulad M’hand, Charlie Patino.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Caoimhin Kelleher;
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson;
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones;
Kaide Gordon, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota.
LIVERPOOL SUBS: Alisson, Ibrahima Konate, James Milner, Joe Gomez,
Adrian, Takumi Minamino, Konstantinos Tsimikas,
Neco Williams, Tyler Morton.
Goals:
0-1. The Portuguese surges at the Arsenal defence, and although he miscues his strike, it has enough power to beat Ramsdale.
Jota collects a short pass from Alexander-Arnold and he beats the challenge of Tomiyasu with a neat turn.
He bursts to the edge of the box and hits a tame effort past Ramsdale, who may have been unsighted by his defenders.
0-2. Jota times his run to perfection from a ball over the top from Alexander-Arnold and takes a touch away from White before lifting an effort over Ramsdale into the back of the net.
It is a sublime piece of control and composure from the Portuguese to surely put the Reds on course for a place in the final.
So, what’s next for Arsenal and Liverpool?
Both sides are in Premier League action again on Sunday.
Arsenal host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, while Liverpool faces Crystal Palace on the road.
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