The game was a dull affair in the first half as the key event of the first half was Granit Xhaka getting sent off after he tried to win the ball and crashed into Diogo Jota.
Liverpool didn’t look sharp enough and was not able to create many chances after Gunners went 10 men down.
Arsenal was very well drilled under Arteta’s system to keep it all square in the first half and did not let Liverpool make any goal-scoring opportunity in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Curtis jones came in place of Milner at 61 minutes and was trying to make an impact on the game.
Saka had an opportunity in the 72 minutes after he received the cross from Tierney but was saved by Alisson.
Minamino was served the ball a golden plater but missed the chance to score in the open goal on the 89th minute of the tie.
Nothing to separate the teams at Anfield. A poor performance from Liverpool with few chances created but nothing to scare Arsenal.
Arsenal will now look forward to the second leg at Emirates on 21 January and try to give a fight and try to advance in the tournament and meet Chelsea in the finals of the EFL Cup.
Liverpool would have expected to run riot after Gunners were left 10 men at the 24 min after Xhaka was sent off but were left frustrated.
