Two of English football’s biggest clubs face off for a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup today (Wednesday) when Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield for the second time already this season.
The hosts have been in superb form domestically so far this term, building a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, whereas Arsenal are already 12 points behind them and go into this game off the back of a damaging 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
It may only be 10 matches into the Premier League season, but already Liverpool have showcased some classic hallmarks of champions, and the latest of those arrived on Sunday.
Considering the success the Gunners have enjoyed since then, an assumption can be made that they do not take the EFL Cup as seriously as the other competitions they are in, but a win over Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday would provide a much-needed morale boost for Unai Emery’s side.
Questions over Arsenal’s mental resolve have resurfaced again following defeat at Sheffield United earlier this month and Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Palace, which saw them throw away a two-goal lead at home to their London rivals.
The main positive to come out of Arsenal’s season so far has been the emergence of some of their youngsters, and that was particularly prevalent in the last round of this competition as they thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-
Liverpool are the most successful club in this competition’s history with eight previous wins, whereas Arsenal have only won it on two previous occasions and not since 1992-93.
Head To Head
Liverpool have history to their advantage in this fixture with 88 wins to Arsenal’s 78, and 61 draws.
The Reds are also unbeaten in the last nine meetings with the Gunners, winning five of those, including the last two League outings at Anfield – 5-1 last December and 3-1 this August.
Possible Line Ups
Liverpool: Adrian; Hoever, Lovren, Gomez, Milner; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Keita; Lallana, Brewster, Origi
Arsenal: Martinez; Bellerin, Holding, Mustafi, Kolasinac; Torreira, Willock; Maitland-Niles, Ozil, Saka; Martinelli
Betting Tips
The Reds seem almost invincible at Anfield at the moment, and we suspect that winning habit will continue on Wednesday.
