As we reach the latter stages of the 2019/20 English football League Cup, there are some great matches to look forward to including the one on Wednesday night at Anfield. Liverpool host Arsenal in the 4th round of the competition as both teams aim to win this trophy for the first time in many years.
It is true that both Liverpool and Arsenal will have their sights set on other silverware this season but this is a competition which presents a good opportunity to win a trophy, especially for The Gunners.
Liverpool will be coming into this game with plenty of confidence following where 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at home on Sunday. Liverpool fell behind to an early goal by Harry Kane and went in at half time losing 1-0. The Reds rode their luck at the beginning of the second half as Spurs hit the crossbar but came back strongly to dominate the half and score the 2 goals required to win the game.
That result means Liverpool are undefeated in their last 8 games in all competitions, winning 7 and drawing one. The only match they failed to win was away to Manchester United in the Premier League and at home Liverpool have won each of their 6 matches this season.
Liverpool defeated Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 away in the 3rd round of the League Cup this season and that is their only win in their last 4 matches in the competition.
Arsenal seemed to be cruising to a comfortable home win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. However, having taken an early 2-0 lead in the match Crystal Palace found a way back into the game via the penalty spot and scored and equalizer in the second half to take a share of the spoils from the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners will feel aggrieved to have not won a penalty late in the game and the way Granit Xhaka left the pitch having been substituted saw the match end on a sour note for Arsenal.
Trends show Arsenal have won one of their last 3 games in all competitions and that came in the Europa League Last Thursday night. Domestically, Arsenal failed to win their last 2 matches, losing 1-0 away to Sheffield United in the Premier League prior to the draw at home with Crystal Palace.
Team news and Liverpool are expected to make changes to their starting XI for this game. Adrian, Joe Gomez, James Milner, Naby Keita, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi could come into the team.
It will be interesting to see what changes Unai Emery makes to his team as the pressure builds on the Arsenal boss. Reiss Nelson Is the only player unavailable due to injury and we could see starts for Gabriel Martinelli, Mesut Ozil, Joe Willock and Lucas Torreira.
With both teams expected to give fringe players an opportunity to play in this game, the outcome could be much closer than if the strongest starting XI’s were on the pitch. However, with home advantage and their current form, Liverpool have the edge and could come through this game by just a single goal.