Liverpool vs. Arsenal live score, updates, highlights from Carabao Cup semifinal 1st leg

Controversy shrouded the postponement of the EFL Cup semifinal first leg between Arsenal and Liverpool last week, with the battle at the Emirates pushed back thanks to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Liverpool squad.

After it was later revealed that the Reds dealt with a number of false positives, the first leg is now set for Thursday at Anfield as the Reds and Gunners will finally take the field. Aside from those departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, both managers have relatively fit squads for the matchup.

A spot at Wembley is on the line over the course of 180 minutes, as both sides look to take an advantage back with them to London for next week’s finale. Chelsea is already confirmed as the first finalist, so the victor from this two-legged matchup will move on to face the Blues.

MORE: Chelsea books place in EFL Cup final

Arsenal and Liverpool are dead even throughout their history in this competition, with both sides holding six wins plus four draws on the books, so bragging rights also are on the line. Liverpool dominated the last meeting between the two sides, a 4-0 Premier League romp in late November.

**Sporting News will be following the event live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal live score

Goals:
None
 

(All times Eastern)

13th minute: Will the Gunners get a grip? Goodness gracious, Ben White nearly puts the ball into his own net now, sliding to stop a cross and seeing the ball clip off his foot and skitter just wide of the far post. Calamitous stuff at the back right now for Arsenal, and somehow the Gunners haven’t been punished. Yet.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is controlling every bit of attacking possession, and the Reds have come close on a few occasions.

12th minute: Oh my word, another glaring mistake from Arsenal at the back. This time it’s Ramsdale who took too long to boot a ball into midfield, and Jordan Henderson charged him down, the boot ultimately banging off Henderson’s chest. Another weird corner given away, as the Gunners avoid anything worse.

10th minute: Real trouble for Arsenal here. Cedric, in for Tomayasu who’s out injured, is down with an injury, and the look of frustration on his face is a clear sign that he can’t continue. Arsenal has to dig even deeper, with Calum Chambers coming off the bench.

Ian can’t help himself…

6th minute: Chance for Liverpool! First chance of the match comes off a lucky bounce to Henderson who sends it wide to Andy Robertson. The full-back whips in a cross that is inches away from an unmarked Roberto Firmino looking to get his head to it. Warning sign for the Arsenal back line.

5th minute: Goodness gracious…Gabriel with one of the worst back-passes you’ll ever see, but it’s harmlessly out for a corner rather than anything more poisonious. The corner comes to nothing for Liverpool. Yikes.

3rd minute: Liverpool controlling early possession as the midfields begin what is sure to be a lively 90-minute battle. First corner of the game to the Reds, but it’s headed away emphatically by the Gunners.

1st minute: We are under way! Arsenal wearing its interesting third kit that features a blue & purple zig-zag with white numerals and lettering. A bit much. I’m a fan of the fancy numeric font, though.

2:10 p.m.: Arsenal might want to try shooting more this time around against Liverpool. Also limiting shots helps. This has been your expert analysis of the day.

1:45 p.m.: Fancy a (less than scientific) score predictor? We got 3-3, which would produce a fabulous 90 minutes for the neutrals.

1:35 p.m.: Lineup are in, and it’s even stronger than expected for Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold returns unexpectely from his COVID-19 isolation. Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are both included in the lineup, suggesting a possible 4-4-2 from Jurgen Klopp, unless one of them is playing out wide.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will see one of Bukayo Saka, Alexandre Lacazette, or Gabriel Martinelli deputize as #10 in the 4-2-3-1 with both Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe missing out. The Gunners’ bench makes for ugly reading, this is a really thin squad at the moment.

1:29 p.m.: Another reason to take the over tonight: Jurgen Klopp loves facing Arsenal. Full betting tip below.

1:23 p.m.: They’re handing out flags for home fans. The Kop should be rocking.

1:08 p.m.: The calm before the storm.

12:45 p.m.: Before this matchup, have a look back at the bonkers meeting between Liverpool and Leicester City in the EFL Cup quarterfinals that saw the Reds reach this stage of the competition.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal lineups

Liverpool lineup notes

It was thought that Trent Alexander-Arnold was the only Liverpool player still in COVID-19 isolation, but he is included in the starting lineup after making a quick return from COVID-19 protocols, meaning the Reds are back to a virus-free squad. 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 AFCON 2021 duty, and the injured group of Harvey Elliott, Divock Origi, Thiago, and Nat Phillips join them on the unavailable players list. So the Reds aren’t exactly healthy despite the COVID-19 cases fading away. That means young players like Curtis Jones and Kaide Gordon have made the bench, and they could potentially see the field depending on game flow.

Interestingly, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino are included in the starting lineup, suggesting Liverpool could be lining up in more of a 4-4-2, unless one of the two is being deployed out wide.

Liverpool projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Alisson (GK) – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson – Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Minamino – Jota, Firmino.

Liverpool subs (9): Kelleher (GK), Konate, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Tsimikas, Gordon, Morton, Williams.

Arsenal lineup notes

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are both on AFCON 2022 duty, meaning the Arenal midfield is extremely thin. That could lead to time for Charlie Patino and Albert Lokonga in the middle of the pitch. The Gunners also appeared to be dealing with COVID-19 issues, but Granit Xhaka has proven himself fit, a major boost. Takehiro Tomiyasu is reportedly still out with a calf injury, meaning Cedric Soares steps in at right back again.

MORE: Arsenal winter transfer roundup

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 a recent addition to the list after testing positive for COVID-19. That leaves Arsenal without a No. 10, with one of Gabriel Martinelli or Alexandre Lacazette moving centrally to take the place.

Another question for Mikel Arteta is who to start up front as the striker. Eddie Nketiah has been a go-to option in Cup games of recent past, but he was poor in the FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest. However, with the thin attacking options, Nkeitah starts regardless of recent performances.

Arsenal projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (GK) – Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney – Lokonga, Xhaka – Saka, Lacazette, Martinelli – Nketiah.

Arsenal subs: Leno (GK), Holding, Mari, Chambers, Tavares, Patino, Salah-Eddine, Hutchinson, Biereth.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Arsenal

• Date: Thursday, Jan. 13
• Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
• Streaming: ESPN+ (subscribers only)

Thursday’s first-leg match between Liverpool and Arsenal from Anfield in the EFL Cup semifinals will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States.

Pre-match betting lines, picks & predictions

Pick: Liverpool win & over 1.5 goals (+130)

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

• Moneyline: 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