Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and Arsenal lock horns at Anfield on Thursday night in the first of the two legged EFL Cup semi-final contest.
Either side will look to emerge on top and claim an important win ahead of the second and final leg to be played later this month following the postponement of the tie.
The rise in COVID-19 cases in the Liverpool camp had forced the Merseysiders into requesting for the first leg, which was due to be played out away at Arsenal, to be postponed amidst the squad selection crisis for Jurgen Klopp and Co.
Klopp, however, will be able to call upon on his COVID-19 enforced absentees in Alisson Becker, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino for the midweek cup clash with the players returning to the fold after it is was reported they registered false positive tests for the virus.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is the sole Liverpool star first-teamer to be sidelined for a positive COVID-19 test and will not be in the fray to make the matchday squad in a fresh blow to Klopp’s concerns ahead of the forthcoming fixture list.
Liverpool’s form of late has been far from inspiring with the Reds failing to keep pace with the league leaders Manchester City who have now opened up a nine point gap at the summit having played one more game than their nearest title challengers.
The Reds staged a convincing return to winning ways, meanwhile, in the midweek FA Cup contest against Shrewsbury but Arsenal were in for a shock in their outing away at Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Championship outfit and were sent crashing out of the FA Cup with the third-round result.
WHEN & WHERE?
Next up ⏩
Our Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg clash 👊 pic.twitter.com/Apa8ZVlzcc
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 11, 2022
Date: 13 January 2021
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Alisson Becker is tipped to take over the goalkeeping duties once again following his recent spell on the sidelines with a COVID-19 positive test.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to training for Liverpool should also come as a major boost for Jurgen Klopp who will hope for his star defensive talent to make the XI.
Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita will not be in the fray with the trio away at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
KEY BATTLE
Roberto Firmino vs Ben White
Firmino will operate as the mainstay for the home side in the final third of the pitch with Klopp missing out on both Salah and Mane for the upcoming clash.
The Brazilian star forward should find a tough challenger in Arsenal’s defensive signing of the summer, Ben White, who has shaken off his early stuttering form to develop into a more composed player at the back for the North Londoners.
MATCH PREDICTION
Liverpool are expected to put out another solid display in cup action against an under-fire Arsenal side and are backed to claim a win in the first leg.
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
