Controversy surrounded the postponement of the EFL Cup semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Liverpool last week, with the battle in the Emirates being delayed thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Liverpool squad.
After it was later revealed that the Reds dealt with a series of false positives, the first leg is now scheduled for Thursday at Anfield as the Reds and Gunners finally take to the pitch. Aside from those leaving for the African Cup of Nations, both managers have squads relatively fit for the matchup.
A place at Wembley is up for grabs over the course of 180 minutes as both sides look to take advantage back in London for the end of next week. Chelsea is already confirmed as the first finalist, so the winner of this two-legged duel will go on to face the Blues.
Arsenal and Liverpool are tied throughout their history in this competition, with both teams having six wins and four draws on the books, so bragging rights are also up for grabs. Liverpool dominated the last meeting between the two teams, a 4-0 Premier League win in late November.
**Sporting News will follow the event live and provide scoring updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
| 1 HOUR | 2H | Final | Add | |
| Liverpool | – | – | – | – |
| Arsenal | – | – | – | – |
(All times Eastern)
They’re handing out flags to local fans. The Kop should be rocking.
A semi-final under the lights at Anfield tonight. We will need help with the flags, if people can get down to the Kop/Kemlyn corner below the scoreboard from 19:15.
We also have smaller flags for children or people who have never waved one before. As always, anyone on the Kop is welcome.
— Spion Kop 1906 (@SpionKop1906) January 13, 2022
The calm before the storm.
Before this matchup, take a look at the insane encounter between Liverpool and Leicester City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals that saw the Reds reach this stage of the competition.
Liverpool vs Arsenal line-ups
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the only Liverpool player still in isolation due to COVID-19, meaning the Reds are almost back to a virus-free team. Youngster Conor Bradley could be the one to step in, having already won the FA Cup over Shrewsbury Town. Goalkeeper Alisson is included in the group of returnees, having missed time earlier with a positive COVID-19 test.
Still, the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are all on duty at AFCON 2021, and the injured group of Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi, Thiago and Nat Phillips join them on the unavailable list. So the Reds aren’t exactly healthy even though COVID-19 cases are fading.
That means young players like Curtis Jones and Kaide Gordon could not only get on the sideline, they could see the field.
Alisson (GK) – Bradley, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas – Henderson, Fabinho, Jones – Gordon, Jota, Minamino.
(Starting lineups posted one hour before kickoff)
Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are both on duty at AFCON 2022, which means Arenal’s midfield is extremely thin. That could leave time for Charlie Patiño and Albert Lokonga in midfield. The Gunners also seemed to be dealing with COVID-19 issues, but Granit Xhaka has shown form, a huge boost. Takehiro Tomiyasu is reportedly still out with a calf injury, meaning Cedric Soares will return to the right-back spot.
Furthermore, recent news updates have noted that both Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe are out, with Smith Rowe unable to recover from the groin injury that kept him out of the FA Cup match last weekend, and Odegaard as a new addition to the roster with an undisclosed one. injury. That leaves Arsenal without a No. 10, but the aforementioned Xhaka could be seen as a backup in that role with the youngsters behind him.
Another question for Mikel Arteta is who will start up front as a forward. Eddie Nketiah has been an option in Cup games in the recent past but he was poor in the FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest and that could lead to Alexandre Lacazette returning.
Ramsdale (GK) – Tierney, White, Gabriel, Cedric – Lokonga, Patino – Saka, Xhaka, Martinelli – Lacazette.
(Starting lineups posted one hour before kickoff)
- Date: Thursday, January 13
- Hour: 2:45 pm ET
- Transmission: ESPN + (subscribers only)
Thursday’s first leg between Liverpool and Anfield Arsenal in the EFL Cup semi-finals will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN + in the United States.
Pre-match betting lines, picks and predictions
Liverpool win and over 1.5 goals (+130)
Liverpool-Arsenal 2-1
- Money line: Liverpool +100 / Draw +275 / Arsenal +260
- Spread (Asian handicap): Liverpool -0.5 (+100) / Arsenal +0.5 (-115)
- O / U 2.5 total goals: Over -140 / Under +120
- Both teams to score: Yes -165 / No +125