Arsenal vs Liverpool Carabao Cup preview: How to watch, lineups, postponement, & prediction

Arsenal are one game away from another Wembley showpiece as they host Liverpool at the Emirates on Thursday for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie. Here is the match preview.

What a rollercoaster week it has been since the last time these two sides met. Arsenal becoming the most hated club in England by simply meeting Premier League thresholds for postponement being the standout event.

Unable to field 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper, the rules set in place by the league to be able to call for legitimate postponement, and those followed by all the other clubs who’ve had games pushed back, meant Arsenal’s request to move Sunday’s North London Derby was accepted.

It’s a ridiculous rule that shouldn’t include absences due to anything other than Covid cases, but it is what it is, and now every neutral in the country will be anything but and pining for Liverpool to win this tie.

Arsenal vs Liverpool preview: Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Arteta’s side dealing with Covid and injury absences for Thursday’s huge clash

Having battled for a heroic 0-0 draw at Anfield despite Granit Xhaka’s red card reducing Arsenal to ten men for over 70 minutes, this fixture is a effectively a one-off game where the winner takes all.

The away goals rule does not apply in the Carabao Cup so if it is a score draw then the game will go to extra-time before penalties. Were it not for Arsenal being so heavily depleted across the squad, they might be favourites to win this.

That valiant away showing against a Reds side without their two main men up front – Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane – was grounds for encouragement, and having had some additional time off to rest, recover, and hopefully welcome players back, the Gunners’ fine home form and the raucous atmosphere will not make this easy for the visitors.

A sort of siege mentality is forming off the back of the Spurs postponement, and there is no doubting among the players that they really want this. It was noticeable at Anfield and the draw will only have fired them up more. That, coupled with a fanbase feeling likewise – the scramble for tickets is well and truly on – means why can’t Arsenal book a Wembley showing against Chelsea?

Their lack of something called a midfield might not help. Should be a cracking game nonetheless…. if Arsenal can field a side.

How to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 20 January
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Emirates Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Main Event (UK) fuboTV (USA)
Referee? Michael Oliver

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