Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 5 Hits and Flops as Diogo Jota brace takes Reds to final | EFL Cup 2021-22

Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0, thanks to a brace from Diogo Jota, to seal their berth in the EFL Cup final. The Reds had drawn goalless against the Gunners in the first leg a week ago.

Jota broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after Fabinho's goal was ruled for offside. The Portuguese ace, after some brilliant work from Trent Alexander-Arnold, muscled his way forward before opening the scoring on the night. Although he did not make the cleanest of connections, it was enough to wrong-foot Aaron Ramsdale, whose positioning is up for debate.

Arsenal tried to get back into the game and even got close to scoring. Gabriel Martinelli was through on goal, but Fabinho put in a vital block to stop him on his tracks.

Liverpool came out all guns blazing following the restart, but Arsenal somehow stood their ground. The Reds, eventually, were awarded for their persistence when Jota lobbed Aaron Ramsdale after receiving a defence-splitting cross from Alexander-Arnold to secure the game.

To exacerbate matters for Arsenal, Thomas Partey picked up his second yellow to get sent off in the 89th minute. He had picked up his first only three minutes earlier.

Liverpool will now face Chelsea in the EFL Cup final. On that note, here's a look at the five hits and flops from either team in the game:

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#5 Hit: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

Andrew Robertson had a good game against Arsenal.

Another game, another fabulous performance by the Scottish international. Andrew Robertson was world-class on the wings. He was astute offensively as well as defensively. He brilliantly neutralised Bukayo Saka. And with Jota drifting towards the centre, Robertson had a lot of space to attack down the flank.

The Scot provided great support to Curtis Jones down the line, and helped the visitors overpower the Gunners in their own box. His reading of the game was exceptional throughout. Robertson won six duels, made three clearances, won two tackles, made two interceptions and recovered the ball seven times throughout the night.

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#4 Flop: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Bukayo Saka failed to lift his side.

Bukayo Saka was unable to impress against Liverpool. He looked completely off-colour. Saka was bland up front, and never posed a threat to Robertson. Moreover, he looked sluggish when tracking back. His link-up play with Martin Odegaard and Alexandre Lacazette was non-existent, to say the least.

Saka was quite isolated on the right. He lost nine duels and was dispossessed twice throughout the game. Additionally, he was the outfield player with the least touches (37) throughout the game among those who played the entire 90 minutes. It was a performance to forget for the 20-year-old.

#3 Hit: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

Trent Alexander-Arnold tussles it out with Gabriel Martinelli.

Trent Alexander-Arnold shone for Liverpool against Arsenal. The Englishman set up both goals for his team, and almost set up Kaide Gordon with a majestic low-lying cross. However, his highlight of the game was the long pass to find Jota for the latter's second of the night.

Alexander-Arnold was a treat to watch on the flanks. He looked threatening every time he advanced high up the pitch. The way he gathered pace following a shaky start was commendable. His duel with Gabriel Martinelli was an interesting one too.

The Englishman won four duels, made two clearances, created three chances, won one tackle, made seven recoveries and made one interception throughout the game against Arsenal.

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#2 Flop: Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)

Alexandre Lacazette had a night to forget.

Alexandre Lacazette failed to inspire Arsenal against the Reds. After being denied by the woodwork early on, he faded as the game wore on.

The Frenchman was isolated up front by the Liverpool duo of Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip. Lacazette was unable to link up with either Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli. Moreover, he was slow to get away from his marker.

Lacazette lost nine duels, conceded five fouls and was dispossessed twice throughout the game. The 30-year-old also received a yellow card for a nasty challenge on Curtis Jones in the opening half of the game. Mikel Arteta replaced him with Edward Nketiah in the 74th minute.

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#1 Hit: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

Liverpool's Diogo Jota rejoices after scoring against Arsenal.

Diogo Jota was the Man of the Match on the night. He scored an all-important brace to seal the tie in favour of Liverpool.

The Portuguese international opened the scoring for the visitors. Jota muscled his way to slot one past Ramsdale from outside the box following some great interchange between Roberto Firmino and Alexander-Arnold.

For his second, Jota brilliantly loobed Ramsdale following a great long pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold. He won nine duels, successfully completed two dribbles, won two tackles and made two recoveries throughout the game.

Jota also created a great chance for Kaide Gordon following some splendid work down the line to stump Ben White.