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 21:29 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

86 mins: That was the chance for Liverpool! Minamino and Jones link up on the left wing to work the ball just into the area. Minamino lifts it over Gabriel wins mis-times his jump towards the ball. It drops over his head and hits Jota in the chest. The Liverpool forward isn’t expecting the ball to reach him and can’t recover in turn to guide it towards goal and Arsenal clear the lines.

[13 January 2022 21:26 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

83 mins: Liverpool have been very poor in front of goal tonight. They’ve really missed Sadio Mane and Mo Salah. Curtis Jones brings the ball down the left and passes it inside to Oxlade-Chamberlain. He’s in almost the exact spot Henderson was in for his last shot but Oxlade-Chamberlain’s attempt is no better and the effort goes high and wide.

[13 January 2022 21:23 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

81 mins: Half chance for Liverpool as Jota sweeps in from the left before setting Henderson up with a shot from range. The Liverpool captain doesn’t catch his effort well though and leans back as he makes contact with the ball meaning he hoofs it well over the crossbar.

Saka comes off now for Arsenal with Tavares the man to replace him.

[13 January 2022 21:21 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

78 mins: As Saka hobbles off the pitch, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta both issue orders to their captains. This has been a good defensive display from Arsenal and Klopp looks frustrated as he chats to Henderson.

Nuno Tavares is getting ready to come on for Arsenal but for now Saka is going to continue.

[13 January 2022 21:19 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

75 mins: Changes for Liverpool as Neco Williams, Joe Gomez, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come on to replace Joel Matip, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho.

Sakahas a touch of cramp and stays down after the substitutions are made. If he’s not badly hurt it’s a good time-wasting tactic from the Arsenal winger.

[13 January 2022 21:17 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

72 mins: Chance! Arsenal come close to an unlikely goal as Kierna Tierney brings the ball down the left side and whips a cross into the area. Saka drifts inside from his position on the right wing and brings the ball down. He can’t control it properly and Alisson comes flying out to recover the ball.

He sends it up the pitch to Diogo Jota who has a free run towards the Arsenal box. This looks like a good chance for the Reds but Gabriel is quickly across to cover and hacks Jota to ground earning himself a yellow card.

[13 January 2022 21:15 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

70 mins: Arsenal have possession in the Liverpool half now. Chambers sends a cross in from the right wing but Van Dijk is there to deal with it. His clearance gives the ball to Saka though and he weaves back into the penalty area before having a cross of his own blocked in the box, The Arsenal fans appeal for handball but there’s no appeal from the players.

[13 January 2022 21:12 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

67 mins: It’s a wall of blue shirts camped on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area as Liverpool try to find their way through with Minamino bringing the ball down the left wing. He hits one from range but doesn’t come anywhere near scoring.

[13 January 2022 21:11 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

64 mins: Firmino and Henderson combine to work the ball down the right wing. Henderson tries to feed the ball into the box but he’s tackled by Lacazette who bursts for for Arsenal. There’s no one ahead of him and he just buys his team a few minutes without having to defend.

[13 January 2022 20:59 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

54 mins: Alexander-Arnold steps inside from the right and gets the ball. He passes it across to Milner who fails to bring it under control and allows Chambers to clear the danger. His clearance comes up to Lacazette and for a moment Arsenal look threatening on the counter-attack until Matip closes down the Arsenal forward and wins back the ball.