Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points as Diogo Jota brace downs Gunners | Carabao Cup 2021-22

Diogo Jota celebrates his second goal of the night against Arsenal.
Diogo Jota celebrates his second goal of the night against Arsenal.

#3 Liverpool paint London a different shade of red

Diogo Jota tormented the Arsenal backline with his constant pressing on the night.
Diogo Jota tormented the Arsenal backline with his constant pressing on the night.

While the first half belonged to Arsenal, Liverpool switched up a gear in the second. Several Reds players came close to scoring, with Diogo Jota making it a double ten minutes before full-time. Jota's artistic chip from Alexander-Arnold's sublime pass was a sumptuous one, typical of Liverpool playing their hard metal brand of football.

The goal came just a few minutes after Ibrahima Konate hit the crossbar and Jordan Henderson was ruled offside in a chaotic exchange in the Arsenal box. Coming on for Joel Matip at the heart of the Liverpool defence, Konate, with his physical presence, was too much for Arsenal on the night.

The Reds did not switch off after their second goal. Their full-backs and central midfielders continued to press their Arsenal counterparts to recover the ball high up the pitch in the final thirty minutes of the game. That ensured Arsenal never came back into the game despite impressing in the first half.


#4 A long day culminates with a send-off for Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey was shown a second yellow by Martin Atkinson for his tackle on Fabinho.
Thomas Partey was shown a second yellow by Martin Atkinson for his tackle on Fabinho.

Arsenal's big-money recruit from Atletico Madrid, Thomas Partey, woke up in Cameroon after Ghana's premature exit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He ended the day coming on for Arsenal in the second half.

With injuries and suspensions plaguing London's red half, the Ghanaian's presence earned him rich applause from Arsenal fans.

However, the night turned sour for the midfielder, as he was shown a second yellow after a foul on Liverpool's Fabinho's late in the game. Partey will now miss the next game at the Emirates against Burnley in the Premier League. However, Granit Xhaka, who was suspended for this game, will be available for selection against the Clarets.

In the 16 minutes of game-play, Partey had just seven touches of the ball. The ex-Atletico Madrid man won only one of his three duels contested on the night. Mikel Arteta will have to shuffle up his formation, as he only has Xhaka available for the Burnley game. Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey will be unavailable.


#5 Liverpool make it five games unbeaten and three clean sheets in a row

Jurgen Klopp acknowledges the travelling Liverpool supporters after the game.
Jurgen Klopp acknowledges the travelling Liverpool supporters after the game.

The semi-final win extended Liverpool's unbeaten run across competitions to five games.

The Reds have now kept three consecutive clean sheets in a row. They have scored nine goals in their last four games, while just conceding one against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup.

Jurgen Klopp will be happy with how his squad has reacted to the recent rough patch they endured after their stalemate with Spurs. They had won just once in four games following their visit to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, Diogo Jota has stepped up, while full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson have upped their attacking output. That means Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane's departure for the Africa Cup of Nations has not resulted in a huge headache for the German gaffer. With Liverpool facing Crystal Palace next, a team that has given the Reds some thrills in the past, Klopp could miss the African duo.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal will play again in less than 72 hours. The Gunners will host Burnley, while Liverpool will make a trip to Selhurst Park as Premier League action returns this weekend.

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Edited by Bhargav
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