Table of Contents
Arsenal FC vs. Liverpool FC
Exactly one week after the goalless first leg at the Anfield Road stadium, Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC will play the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final. Kick-off is at the Emirates Stadium in London next Thursday evening at 20:45.
The first finalist, Chelsea FC, has already been determined. Now it’s down to who will duel the Blues for the EFL Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium on 27 February. Find out who we think it will be and our predictions for this semi-final second leg in our Arsenal vs Liverpool betting tips now.
Arsenal -Liverpool Info
– Date & Time: 20/01/2022, at 20:45.
– Venue: London, Emirates Stadium (up to 60,000 spectators).
– Competition: EFL Cup, semi-final second leg
– TV coverage: DAZN
Arsenal -Liverpool Tip
The EFL Cup is clearly overshadowed by the FA Cup in terms of importance and has been derided in the past as the ‘Worthless Cup’ or the ‘Mickey Mouse Cup’. The top clubs tend to give priority to reserve or youth players in this competition, as the schedule of the top clubs is full enough as it is. Nevertheless, Jürgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta fielded an A eleven in the first leg a week ago, which is why it can be strongly assumed that the two coaches will also take the second leg seriously. At the end of the day, there is still a trophy at stake and those who have already advanced to the semi-finals of the competition will ultimately want to take the thing home.
Arsenal form & balance check
When you take a look at Arsenal FC’s recent results, you almost get the impression that the players couldn’t hold their New Year’s Eve drink. After finishing the calendar year 2021 with five consecutive must-win games, the Gunners failed to win any of their first three games in 2022. However, Mikel Arteta’s side have only really disappointed in one game.
The unfortunate 2-1 defeat against league leaders Manchester City on 1 January was followed eight days later by a bitter FA Cup exit at second division side Nottingham Forrest (1-0). This was followed by the goalless semi-final first leg at Liverpool FC, which can actually be described as a real success due to the early red card for Granit Xhaka (24th). So despite three competitive games without a win, all is still absolutely right with the Gunners.
Home strength as key to success?
Finally, Arsenal FC is also affected by the international suspensions for the Africa Cup in several ways. Besides Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe are currently unavailable. Apart from Partey, however, it is fair to say that the aforementioned Africans have not been regulars for the Gunners for some time and are therefore not as big a loss as, say, the absence of Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah at Liverpool FC.
And with Arsenal’s only losses in front of their home crowd so far this season coming against Chelsea (0-2) and Man City (1-2), the chances of the Gunners prevailing against a much weakened Liverpool FC and progressing to the final of the EFL Cup are not at all bad.
Arsenal Facts & Analysis
– 35 points from 20 games
– Last played 0-0 against Liverpool
– Winless in 3 competitive matches
– Won 2020 EFL Cup on penalties against Liverpool
Liverpool form & balance check
In their first Premier League game since the start of the Africa Cup, Liverpool FC were hardly aware of the absence of their top stars Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah. After previously four competitive games without a win (3x league + 0-0 in the League Cup), the Reds won 3-0 against Brentford FC last weekend to end their little drought. In the absence of the two Africans, the wing positions were occupied by Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diogo Jota in this match. Against Arsenal, Jota and Minamino found themselves on the flanks.
EFL Cup as consolation prize?
The gap to league leaders Man City is still eleven points with one game less, which is unlikely to be caught given the Citizens’ brutal consistency (twelve Premier League wins in a row recently). So the Reds can most likely only collect titles in other competitions – for example in the EFL Cup, where the not-so-coveted trophy would still be two wins away. Another draw against Arsenal (with or without goals) would immediately result in a penalty shootout on Thursday, as the away goals rule has been abolished since the 2018/19 season. The Reds have already secured progress from the spot in the quarter-finals after a 3-3 draw with Leicester.
Liverpool facts & analysis
– 15 points from 5 CL games
– Last win 3:0 against Brentford
– Only 1 goal conceded in last 3 competitive matches
– EFL Cup last won in 2011/12
Predicted line-up – last updated on 18 January 2022
Not much could change at Arsenal FC compared to the first leg. However, Granit Xhaka, who was sent off with a red card, will definitely have to be replaced. It is possible that 18-year-old Charlie Patino could be given a new chance to prove himself, as Thomas Partey (Africa Cup) and Xhaka (suspension) are two potential regulars in this position.
The Reds, on the other hand, could play completely unchanged. For Minamino, however, Oxlade-Chamberlain could move into the starting eleven. In midfield, both Curtis Jones and James Milner could start alongside Henderson and Fabinho.
“He’s very demanding with himself, he’s really willing to learn and improve his game and he’s in the right place.”
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 14, 2022
Arsenal – Liverpool direct comparison & stats
In total, Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC have already met 204 times in all kinds of competitions. The record is quite even, but Liverpool are slightly ahead. The Reds have won 76 games so far, Arsenal 71, and there have also been 57 draws. The first meeting this season was a clear 4-0 win for LFC, while the first leg last Thursday ended in a goalless draw.
– The result of the first leg: Liverpool FC – Arsenal FC 0-0.
– When Liverpool FC lead 0-1 in away matches, they win 80% of the matches.
– The average goals scored in a Arsenal FC – Liverpool FC clash is 2.2.
– The most common result between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC is 1-1 when Arsenal FC had home advantage. 7 matches ended like this.
