Liverpool vs Arsenal LIVE: Carabao Cup result, final score and reaction after Granit Xhaka red card

Follow all the reaction from the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg as the visitors held on for a draw despite Granit Xhaka’s early red card

Liverpool Boss Jurgen Klopp Would Prefer One-off Carabao Cup Semi-final Original Video M205702

Follow live reaction after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by 10-men Arsenal in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at Anfield.

Liverpool were handed a huge opportunity to take a lead into next week’s return leg at the Emirates after Granit Xhaka’s early red card forced Arsenal to play the majority of the match with 10 men. Xhaka was shown a straight red card on 23 minutes when he brought down Diogo Jota with a high tackle on the edge of the box. Jota had been released by a long ball over the top and was through on goal when Xhaka took him down.

But Mikel Arteta’s side were deserving of their draw after producing a committed defensive performance that limited Liverpool to few chances. Takumi Minamino squandered a golden opportunity late on but blazed a shot over the bar with the goal gaping after Aaron Ramsdale had dropped a cross.

The hosts were ultimately left frustrated following a poor attacking performance in the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, and it hands Arsenal the edge as they take home advantage into the return leg next Thursday.

Follow all the latest reaction below:

Liverpool vs Arsenal

• Winner of tie to face Chelsea in final
• 23 mins: Arsenal down to 10 as Xhaka sees red for bringing down Jota
• FT: Arsenal battle for draw after frustrating poor Reds

[13 January 2022 20:24 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

38 mins: Henderson gives the ball to Robertson who darts in side from the left. He brings the ball into the box and slides a pass in to Minamino who sends the ball into the six yard area and wins a corner.

Alexander-Arnold is on set piece duty again but doesn’t get this cross right either and Arsenal manage to work the ball clear.

[13 January 2022 20:22 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

35 mins: Fabinho passes the ball out to Alexander-Arnold who attempts to work the ball into the box but uncharacterisically boots it straight out of play.

Mikel Arteta is gesturing wildly on the sidelines issuing instructions to his 10-men as trying to get them to keep hold of possession when they win it back.

Since the sending off it’s been all Liverpool.

[13 January 2022 20:17 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

32 mins: The red card has seen a change in formation for Arsenal. They’re set up in a back five off the ball with Lacazette the targetman for any counter-attacks. It seems as though Arteta wants to limit the damage and kepp the tie alive for the second leg.

[13 January 2022 20:15 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

29 mins: Liverpool have a man advantage now and will need to make use of it. Alexander-Arnold plays a corner short to Milner who floats a cross towards the back post. Van Dijk keeps it alive with a header back into the box from the byline but Chambers gets there first and clears the danger for Arsenal.

[13 January 2022 20:13 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

26 mins: Liverpool have a free kick just outside the penalty area and Alexander-Arnold is the man to take it. He sends his shot straight into the wall before skewing the rebound wide of the back post.

Rob Holding is brought on by Mikel Arteta who takes off striker Eddie Nketiah.

[13 January 2022 20:12 · Michael Jones]

Red card! Granit Xhaka is off!

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

23 mins: Arsenal break forward with Bukayo Saka carrying the ball down the right wing and driving into the box. He squares it across towards Eddie Nketiah but Henderson manages to intercept the ball.

Liverpool work it across to Robertson who flicks a long ball over to Diogo Jota sprinting in behind from the right side. Xhaka spots him over his shoulder and feels as though he needs to make a challenge. He sticks out a high boot and catches Jota in the chest, denying Liverpool a goal scoring opportunity.

Referee Michael Oliver doesn’t nedd long to make his decision and pulls out a straight red card. Arsenal are down to 10-men.

[13 January 2022 20:05 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

20 mins: Henderson turns into trouble in his own half and gives the ball away to Lokonga who pokes it straight up to Lacazette. He spots Alisson off his line and goes for goal from outside the box but completely mishits his attempt and fires the shot high and wide.

[13 January 2022 20:04 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

17 mins: There’s an edge to this game already. Gabriel hits James Milner with a heavy tackle in the middle of the pitch but wins the ball then Martinelli clips Henderson in the face with a stray arm.

Robertson works the ball into the box and shifts it to his right foot before taking a shot that gets deflected behind for another Liverpool corner.

[13 January 2022 19:59 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

14 mins: Close! Arsenal clear a Liverpool corner but only knock the ball out as far as Henderson. He passes it across to Fabinho who floats the ball back into the box. Van Dijk heads it down and Liverpool work the ball out to Minamino on the left side. He drills a low ball into the six-yard box where Ben White just gets to the ball before Firmino and manages to glance it wide of the back post!

[13 January 2022 19:57 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

12 mins: This isn’t good news for Arsenal as Cedric Soares has gone down off the ball again. He took a breather earlier in the game and after failing to jump into an aerial challenge with Robertson he’s signalling that he can’t continue.

Calum Chambers is quickly stripped and goes on to replace the Arsenal right-back.