At 3:45 a.m. Beijing time on January 14, the first leg of the English League Cup semi-finals, Liverpool hosted Arsenal. Another set of duels, Chelsea's home and away wins against Tottenham Hotspur, have advanced to the final.
In the battle, Liverpool's starting is still the usual 433, Firmino, Jota and Takushi Minamino form a forward trident, three midfielders Milner, Fabinho, Henderson, double centre-backs Van Dijk and Matip, left-back Robertson, right-back Arnold, goalkeeper Alisson. Klopp is also a major player, compared with the regular starter, only the front line is less than salah and Mane, who participated in the African Cup of Nations.
Arsenal started 4231, Nketiah topped the centre position, front Lacazette, both sides Martinelli, Saka, double backSzaca, Lokunga, four defenders Tierney, Gabriel, Ben White, Cedric, goalkeeper Ramsdale. Although two days later is the crucial battle away to Tottenham Hotspur in the 22nd round of the Premier League, the League Cup has reached the semi-finals, and Arteta has little reservations.
As soon as the game began, the two sides fought fiercely. In the 5th minute, Gabriel's return pass was too powerful, and the ball went straight to his own goal, but fortunately flew out of the bottom line at the end.
In the 9th minute, Cedric, who was injured shortly after the opening, was unable to hold on and was replaced by Chambers.
In the 13th minute, Takumi Minamino crossed and Ben White slid the shovel to break the siege.
In the 23rd minute, Arsenal suffered another blow, the "stadium time bomb" Xhaka lifted his foot to kick down Jota when he broke the siege, and he was given a red card.
In the 36th minute, Arsenal replaced Nketiah, who started the centre-forward, with Holderin.
Judging from the situation in the first half, Liverpool, who played one more person early, did not have much advantage. On the contrary, Arsenal have improved their attack after playing one less person.
In the 50th minute, Van Dijk made a mistake, Lacazette passed directly, and Saka took the ball straight into the box, but was released by Matip.
In the 60th minute, Firmino crossed, Takumi Minamino's shot was blocked, Arsenal counter-attacked, Saka tried to hang the goal directly on the left, Alisson came out of the box and blocked the ball.
In the 89th minute, Takushi Minamino hit the empty door Wulei's soul possession at close range, missing a good opportunity to kill.
Liverpool 17 shots on goal 1 shot on target, Arsenal 3 shots on goal 1 shot on target, the possession rate of Liverpool 78%, Arsenal 22%, from the full field data, Liverpool advantage is obvious, but less Mane, Salah two main forces, the attack is obviously lack of threat, home battle, play one more person, but can not win. In the second leg of the away game, Liverpool's chances of reaching the final are not very good.
The League Cup is not Liverpool's goal, and what Klopp needs to consider is how to deal with the next Premier League in the absence of Mane and Salah for the Africa Cup of Nations.