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 20:55 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

51 mins: Liverpool are missing that spark in front of goal without Mo Salah and Sadio Mane. They’re dominating possession with Arsenal sitting in deep but haven’t found a way to challenge Aaron Rasmdale yet. James Milner hits one from range and boots it high and wide.

[13 January 2022 20:52 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

48 mins: Good pace from Minamino to work the ball away from Chambers in the middle of the pitch. He sprints away from the Arsenal defender and chips a cross into the box. The cross looks to by dipping into the far corner and has Ramsdale worried. The goalkeeper comes out to flap at the ball but misses it and luckily for Arsenal the ball bounces wide of goal.

[13 January 2022 20:49 · Michael Jones]

Second half: Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

Kick off: Liverpool get the game back underway by working it out to the left wing towards James Milner. There hasn’t been any further changes from either team at half-time.

[13 January 2022 20:46 · Michael Jones]

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[13 January 2022 20:43 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

No shots on target from either team in the first half. That’s a good effort from Arsenal seeing as they played the last 20-odd minutes with 10-men.

It’ll be harder for them to keep Liverpool out in the second half but if the Gunners can hold on to a clean sheet here they’ll feel as though they’ve won the advantage heading to the Emirates next week.

Jurgen Klopp will be telling his players that this is the time to finish off the tie. Liverpool’s desire to get goals could backfire on them though with Arsenal’s pace on the counter-attack. They’ll have to strike the right balance in the second half.

[13 January 2022 20:38 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

How costly will Granit Xhaka’s red card prove to be for Arsenal? Since his debut season with Arsenal in 2016/17, no Premier League player has been sent off more times in all competitions than Granit Xhaka (5)

(Getty Images)

[13 January 2022 20:34 · Michael Jones]

Half-time: Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

45+2 mins: Goalless at the break then. The big talking point of the first half being Granit Xhaka’s red card and Arsenal dropping down to 10-men.

Liverpool will want to take advantage of that and score as many goals as they can in the second 45 minutes. Arsenal will play on the counter-attack, try to keep a clean sheet and maybe even get a goal.

[13 January 2022 20:31 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

45 mins: Two minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. Arsenal will be desperate to get in for half-time and a chance to regroup.

[13 January 2022 20:31 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

44 mins: Jota is flagged offside just past the halfway line and Arsenal are awarded a free kick. Ramsdale boots it long and picks out Chambers on the right side of the pitch. He slips a pass into the box for Lacazette but the forward gets tackled quickly. The ball comes back out to Chambers who whips a cross into the box but sends it too close to Alisson and the Liverpool goalkeeper claims the ball.

[13 January 2022 20:27 · Michael Jones]

Liverpool 0 - 0 Arsenal

41 mins: Arsenal have had just 10% possession over the last 15 minutes or so but Saka wins the Gunners a corner with a forward run down the right. He flicks a cross into the middle and Joel Matip’s clearance is skewed behind.

The corner comes curling into the box but Alisson comes off his line and punches it away for the home side.