DBasia.news – Arsenal managed to defeat Liverpool in the League Cup after winning 5-4 on penalties in the top 16 match. The match will be held at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Friday (2/10) am, WIB.
This result also made Arsenal complete their revenge for two moments, namely the 1-3 defeat in the Premiere League three days ago. As well as being eliminated by Arsenal from the top 16 of the League Cup last season, also on penalties with a similar score.
Arsenal goalkeeper, Bernd Leno did a lot to force the 0-0 score to be unchanged for 90 minutes through no less than six saves throughout the match. Then in the penalty shootout, Leno also succeeded in thwarting Divock Origi and Harry Wilson’s kicks, before Joe Willock as Arsenal’s final executioner confirmed the continuation of the Gunners’ steps.
This match will be Harry Wilson’s first appearance for Liverpool this season, after the last two seasons he has gained more knowledge as a loan player. He was plotted to accompany Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino behind Mohamed Salah.
Marko Grujic has a golden opportunity to continue Diogo Jota’s pass into a goal in the 12th minute. Unfortunately, his free kick without an escort turned thin to the left of Leno’s goal.
The absence of Wijdnaldum or Naby Keita in midfield was very pronounced. Breakthrough balls or punctures that usually filled Liverpool’s appearance when entering the Final Third, the opponents had difficulty to create in this match.
On the other hand, Arsenal, led by Granit Xhaka, found it difficult to develop the game. Nicolas Pepe and Bukayo Saka was closely attached by Neco Williams and Virgil Van Dijk.
A breakthrough bait that could pass Liverpool defenders like last week’s match in the Premiere League, was absent. It was challenging for Arsenal to open a gap in the first half, not even one shot at the goal was able to be released.
Liverpool almost opened the scoring had Minamino’s kick greeted Leno from Jota’s header, not hitting the crossbar before the end of the first half. The 0-0 score covered the first half.
Leno was again Arsenal’s savior when he entered the 55th minute. He was able to ward off a dangerous kick from Grujic from outside the penalty area. Seven minutes later, Leno brushed off Jota’s powerful strike and a header from Grujic.
Neco Williams made a brilliant save when he intercepted Edward Nketiah’s ball. If it had escaped, Liverpool would have been in a dangerous situation as three Arsenal players were already free without escort.
Not long after, it was Adrian’s turn to make a save for Liverpool. Starting from Saka’s cross, the ball was greeted by Soares with a header. Luckily Adrian was able to maintain his confidence.
In the shootout, Liverpool were in a superior position when Arsenal’s third kicker, Mohamed Elneny found his shot tamed by Adrian. But that advantage was lost when Origi duplicated Elneny’s failure.
Arsenal’s position turned around in a convincing situation when Leno repelled Wilson’s penalty, who became Liverpool’s sixth executioner. Adrian almost did the same with Willock’s execution in the direction he had guessed, but the ball flew from his lower body and Arsenal stepped into the quarter-finals.
The composition of players:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Adrian; Neco Williams, Rhys William, Virgil Van Dijk (Joe Gomez), James Milner; Marko Grujic, Curtis Jones; Harry Wilson, Takumi Minamino, Diogo Jota (Wijdnaldum); Mohamed Salah (Divock Origi).
Coach: Jurgen Klopp
Arsenal (4-3-3): Bernd Leno; Cedric Soares, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhaes, Dead Kolasinac; Dani Ceballos (Mohamed Elneny), Joseph Willock, Granit Xhaka; Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka (Maitland-Niles), Eddie Nketiah (Alexandre Lacazette).
Coach: Mikel Arteta