Tomorrow brings a rescheduled EFL Cup semifinal, leg 2/2, between Liverpool and Arsenal, and the main storyline transcends football. This match was originally scheduled to take place two weeks ago, and with Arsenal’s Premier League fixture versus Burnley this weekend potentially getting called off, the elephant in the room is of course the coronavirus pandemic.

The cancelations and rescheduling have created a massive mess, in which it really feels like no one actually knows what’s going on right now. Just ask the manager of Arsenal’s biggest rival.

[Read more…]

As we head into the second leg of the EFL Cup semifinals, the tie between Liverpool and Arsenal, the major match storyline revolves around postponements and rescheduling. There has been a lot of criticism aimed at Arsenal, whether that’s fair or not, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta used his press conference on Wednesday to address that.

After the North London Derby was cancelled, Tottenham boss Antonio Conte made his feelings known, with rather strong opinions, as he hit out at the Premier League.

[Read more…]

A spot in the Carabao Cup final is on the line Thursday when Liverpool travels to Arsenal for the second leg of their semifinal. The two teams had a sluggish 0-0 draw last week at Anfield, so the pressure is ramped up for Thursday.

Liverpool sent out a pretty strong line-up last week, and should do something similar on Thursday with a few changes.

[Read more…]

Liverpool advanced to the next round of the FA Cup on Sunday, topping Shrewsbury 4-1. Now the Reds will host Arsenal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal, looking to make the final for the first time since 2016.

Outside of the players who are at AFCON and a few injuries, Liverpool should have a strong contingent of players to choose from for the game.

[Read more…]

Liverpool hosts Arsenal in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals, after a one-week postponement. The Gunners and the Reds always seem to face each other in this competition. This is the first time in over 30 years that two top-flight sides have faced each other in three straight League Cup campaigns. This year, the stakes get a little higher as they face each other in the semi-finals. 

The Gunners have enjoyed an easy run to the semi-finals. They have scored 16 goals and conceded just one. I must note that the only Premier League opposition they have faced in this run was Leeds United.

[Read more…]

After a postponement, because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Liverpool squad, Arsenal’s League Cup first leg semi-final is due to be played this week.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said most of the positive coronavirus tests that led to the original fixture being rescheduled were false positives, and that was met with skepticism by Arsenal fans. The EFL still decided that it would not investigate the incident however, and that Liverpool had no case to answer.

[Read more…]

Arsenal host Liverpool in the first leg of the League Cup this week. The Gunners and the Reds have made this an almost annual date. They always seem to play each other in this competition. This is the first time (if it is staged, as Liverpool have put in a request to have this postponed) in over 30 years two top-flight sides have faced each other in three straight League Cup campaigns.

This year, the stakes get a little higher as they face each other in the semi-finals. Arsenal has never lost a home League Cup tie to Liverpool in the six times they have played host to the Merseyside club. The last time they faced each other at the Emirates, in a League Cup tie, it ended in a 2-1 victory to the North London club.

[Read more…]

In what has become a Carabao Cup tradition, Arsenal faces Liverpool this week (if the match is in fact staged, as the Merseyside club has requested postponement). Arsenal and Liverpool have traded penalty shootout victories over one another in the past couple of seasons in this competition. This year they will battle it out over two legs for a place in the final.

The Reds and The Gunners have scored an incredible 28 goals in their last five meetings in the Carabao Cup. A record made even more impressive when you consider the last match between the two finished goalless.

[Read more…]