Eight-time Carabao Cup champions Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at the Anfield after Granit Xhaka was sent off for Arsenal. This leaves the tie wide open for the second leg, which will be contested next week at the Emirates stadium in a winner takes all contest. Jürgen Klopp's team was unable to find the back of the net despite playing more than an hour with a man's advantage.
Liverpool started the game without the services of star players Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both out on African Cup of Nations duty for Egypt and Senegal respectively. In 4-3-3 formation for the home side, it was Diego Jota who led the lineup alongside Roberto Firmino. Arsenal were without club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he still was missing due to disciplinary issues despite an FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forrest.
Both the teams started with the high pressing game, but it was the 24th minute when the first decisive moment of the match arrived. Xhaka's high foot caught Jota, which was seen as a clear goal-scoring opportunity denied. Referee Michael Oliver did not hesitate to show the red card as the gunners were reduced to 10 players.
Arsenal kept on trying and were almost rewarded with two great chances for Bukayo Saka, but the England international failed to produce the end product in the final third. Takumi Minamino also missed a couple of great chances in the second half to put the Reds in lead, as he fired wide on both occasions.
The draw means that Arsenal and Liverpool will go level in next Thursday's second leg knowing the tie is still in balance unlike the other semifinal between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. The Blue side of London emerged victorious in the other semifinal as they will face the winner of Liverpool and Arsenal at Wembley stadium in February.
Mikel Arteta's side will have no easy schedule in the coming days as they face arch-rivals Spurs on Sunday (January 16) in a North London derby in the Premier League (PL), before they return for the second leg. Liverpool on the same day take on Brentford in a crunch game that could have ramifications on their PL position.
