Izuchukwu Okosi
Takumi Minamino squandered a golden chance for Liverpool as 10-man Arsenal defended resolutely to draw 0-0 in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.
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The Anfield fixture had initially been scheduled as the second leg, but last week’s match was postponed due to a number of coronavirus cases within Liverpool’s squad.
Arsenal were thrashed 4-0 in their previous trip to the ground in November but a depleted Gunners side ensured the second leg will start on level terms following a stoic display, which was complicated by Granit Xhaka’s 24th-minute red card.
Arsenal manager Arteta needed a show of character from Arsenal at a ground where they have displayed little in recent years. He appeared to require a miracle too when Granit Xhaka’s latest red card gave Liverpool 66 minutes plus five minutes of stoppage time to seize control of the Carabao Cup semi-final. He received both, and more, as Arsenal produced a tireless display to stifle Jürgen Klopp’s team at Anfield.
The return leg holds next week at The Emirates Stadium with the winner over two legs meeting Chelsea at the Emirates after the Blues eliminated London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
