Liverpool hosted Arsenal for a second time in 3 days as the premier league champions hosted Gunners for a place in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta made a wholesale change to the team that lost to Liverpool just 3 days ago . Bukayo Saka, who is called up for the England squad, was given a start at Anfield along with Dani Ceballos who impressed in the second half on Monday. Liverpool made 9 changes to the winning team from Monday as only Virgil Van Djik and Mo Salah kept their places.
The first half was a very cagey affair with both teams midfield dominating the ball. Arsenal enjoyed early possession of the ball but the best chance in early stages went to Liverpool's Grijic who missed timed his volley after a cross from Jota. Arsenal had the ball in the back of the net from a well worked free kick but the referee disallowed it for a foul on Grijic during the build up to that goal. The best chance of a goalless first half though came right at the end when Leno made a diving save from Jota's shot and Minamino hit the crossbar from close range.
The second half was more eventful as Liverpool pressed for an opener but Leno was like a wall that they could not break down. The German Keeper put on his 'A-Game' to deny Grujic and then Van Dijk. The Arsenal No.1 dived to his left to make a brilliant reflection save to deny Van Dijk from close range. The saving spree continued as Leno denied Jota on a couple of occasions, once brilliantly diving to his left.
Arsenal's best chance came in the 70th minute when Holding won a header in the box unchallenged but hit it straight at Adrian who made a good save. A second half dominated by the goalkeepers came to an end with both keepers keeping their clean sheets as the game went to penalties.
On a day when Leno looked unbeatable, fittingly it was the German keeper who saved 2 penalties in the shootout after a host of brilliant saves in 90 minutes to put Arsenal in the Quarter Final draw.
Penalties-
Milner - ✔️ Lacazette- ✔️
Wijnaldum-✔️ Cedric - ✔️
Minamino - ✔️ Elneny - ❌
Origi - ❌ Maitland Niles - ✔️
Jones - ✔️ Pepe - ✔️
Wilson - ❌ Willock - ✔️
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