In the first leg of the EFL Cup, Semifinal Arteta had chosen to go with a line-up of 4-2-3-1 with Ramsdale in goal, a back four of Tierney, Gabriel, White, and Soares. In midfield the duo of Xhaka & Lokonga with attack unit consisting of Martinelli, Lacazette, Saka, and Up top striker Nketiah. (Martin Odegaard is out with COVID-19 and was not available for selection.)
Whereas Klopp went with his preferred 4-3-3 with Alisson as the goalkeeper, a usual back four of Trent, Matip, Van Djik, and Robertson. The midfield of Henderson, Fabinho, and Milner. and an attacking force of Minamino, Firmino, and Jota. (Liverpool will be missing their talisman Mohamed Salah and his fellow partner Sadio Mane who are currently representing their national sides at AFCON)
Liverpool is currently 3rd in the Premier League with 12 games won, 6 drawn and 2 losses till now whereas Arsenal is 5th in the table with separated by 7 points by winning 11 games, 6 draws and 7 losses.
At 11 min Calum Chambers came in place of Cedric Soares as Soares went off due to an injury. At 24 minutes due to a bad challenge on Jota in an attempt to get the ball, Xhaka was sent off due Arteta made a defensive change and put Holding in Place of Nketiah at 28 minutes of the game. The first half was all square after none of the team had a proper shot on the opposition’s goal.
It was a sleepy and sloppy performance by both sides in the first half.
