Liverpool travel to a wary Arsenal as they clash in the first-leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals, just a day after Chelsea play Tottenham.

The last time they met back in November, the result was a clear and resounding victory for Liverpool, as they 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝟰-𝟬 𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱. This time, however, both teams go into this game under very different circumstances.

With a decent streak of performances despite a narrow 2-1 loss to Manchester City, Arsenal will look to prevent a repeat of their last match against The Kop. Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac are to miss the cup tie due to infection and an ankle injury respectively, while the AFCON sees Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny departing to link up with their national squads. 

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟯 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀, losing to Leicester and being held to draws by Chelsea and Tottenham respectively. With a lengthy list of players to miss this match, including Alisson, Firmino, Joel Matip due to infections, Thiago Alcantara, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Phillips, and Harvey Elliott due to injuries, and Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah due to the AFCON cup.

In their 5 previous meetings, 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, winning 3 and losing 2. However, recent form paints a slightly different picture, with Arsenal arguably having better games and being more consistent. After considering the players available to play, Arsenal does come out on top.

Our verdict is a 𝟮-𝟭 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗹. While Liverpool are still a well-oiled machine in the absence of many of their key players, Arsenal will be able to field a stronger squad and have form on their side.