Arsenal: 3 reasons why Liverpool in the Carabao Cup isn't that bad

Arsenal: 3 reasons why Liverpool in the Carabao Cup isn’t that bad

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta (C) and Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp (centre left) are booked by English referee Michael Oliver after a clash on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 20, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Jurgen Klopp the manager of Liverpool celebrates after the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield on December 22, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images) /

2. Jurgen Klopp Never Fields a Strong Team in the Carabao Cup

If there is someone complaining about the fixture schedule, it’s probably Klopp. Near enough most of the time he’s right, mind, and the result is that he rotates heavily in this competition.

Already without three of his squad for AFCON, Liverpool are also set to travel to Chelsea on January 2 for a huge clash in the title race. They’re schedule is as packed as anyone’s.

But historically he’s always see this competition as a chance to introduce academy players. In the 3-3 draw with Leicester where Liverpool needed a 95th minute Minamino equaliser to take the game to penalties, he fielded 18-year-old Conor Bradley at right-back, 19-year-old Billy Koumetio at centre-back and 19-year-old Tyler Morton in midfield.

With Chelsea a matter of two or so days before the first leg, it’s expected he’ll rotate again. That’s not to say Arteta won’t either, but he has used the lack of European football this season as a chance to maintain his first team squad in the Carabao Cup as much as he can with only one non-first team player, Charlie Patino, featuring in the competition so far.

Nothing suggests Arsenal are going to beat Liverpool over two ties, but looking at Klopp’s preferences (the league) and them missing two of their best players, it will offer some solace to Arsenal fans that this tie might not be so cut and dry.

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