Liverpool reach EFL Cup final after impregnable display against Arsenal

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Liverpool reach EFL Cup final after strong show against Arsenal

Arsenal hosted Liverpool for the 2nd leg semi-final of the EFL Cup with both sides’ eyeing for the trip to Wembley final to face Chelsea.

The tie was in a state of proper equilibrium after the first leg ended at 0-0 at Anfield.

So the game was underway at Emirates and it was Arsenal who were at the top in the first 15 minutes. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli was unbelievable on the left-hand side making Trent Alexander-Arnold very uncomfortable.

But then Liverpool forward Diogo Jota collected a short pass from Alexander-Arnold. Jota surges at the Arsenal defense, and although he miscued the strike but it had enough power to beat Ramsdale.

Liverpool went into the break with an advantage of a 1-0 lead against Arsenal. Diogo Jota’s goal just broke Gunners’ early game rhythm.

In the second half as well Arteta’s Arsenal looked threatening from the left-hand side, with some good offensively play from Martinelli. But the Reds’ right-back Trent Alexander Arnold looked sharp defensively.

Liverpool’s number 66 who always looks good offensively but gets suspected for his defensive abilities. But this time he showed what he exactly brings to the table for Liverpool.

In the meantime, in the 77th minute, VAR ruled Liverpool’s second goal after Jota’s goal was disallowed for offside. it was a sublime piece of control and composure from the Portuguese. Both Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander Arnold combined again for the goal to put more misery on Arsenal.

The evening ended on a low note for the home side after Thomas Partey was dismissed for two bookable offences.

Liverpool are through to the EFL Cup final courtesy of a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final clash. And it will be Liverpool vs Chelsea at Wembley in the EFL Cup final.

EFL Cup – Arsenal vs Liverpool: Post match reaction

Klopp’s reaction to the team’s performance and that in particular of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

I would probably have to watch it back again but he was outstanding – but I saw so many outstanding performances tonight, to be honest. It’s a very important game against a really strong Arsenal side.

What the boys put out tonight was really special.

When asked about how much he wants to win the competition.

There’s a lot of games to play until then, so it’s not now that you just play next week or whatever. There are a lot of games to play, we will see where we are then. But we really put a lot of effort in this competition and we really wanted to go through.

Klopp speaks on why this competition is so important to Liverpool this season.

We want to go for everything – we said that plenty of times. Now we are in the final, it doesn’t mean we have won it already, it just means we qualify for it. When we will be there at the end of February, we will give it a go – but unfortunately the opponent probably [will] as well.

Klopp’s take on Jota’s impact.

Mentality mixed up with quality was the reason we signed him because the way he played at Wolves, the yards he had to make there, the runs he had to make, the defending he had to do, but he was still always able to produce some really exciting stuff. That was the reason we signed him. Now, in our kit, it is really nice to see.

Klopp reacts on whether Andy Robertson is the best left-back in Europe.

For me, yes, but I am not sure that is too important, to be honest. For me, absolutely.

What’s next for Liverpool?

Liverpool will turn their attention to the resurgent side of Crystal Palace. Klopp & Co. will take a trip to Patrick Viera’s side in Selhurst Park in a Premier League fixture on Sunday.

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