Liverpool faced off against Arsenal at Anfield earlier tonight hoping to pick up a victory and secure a place in the quarterfinals of the EFL Cup. Both teams fought tooth and nail in the first 45 minutes but couldn’t make the breakthrough. It was honours even at the half-time interval with everything to play for in the second half.
It was a similar story after the half-time break with the Reds enjoying more of the possession but struggling to find the decisive touch in the final third. The contest ended with both sides playing out a 0-0 draw. The Gunners ended up winning the clash 5-4 on penalties to progress into the next round of the competition.
Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the match against the Gunners.
GK: Adrian – 7/10
The Spaniard was hardly troubled but stood up to the test when called into action. Even saved a penalty in the shootouts but it was not enough in the end.
RB: Neco Williams – 8/10
The Liverpool right-back was a bundle of energy down the right flank and got back to defend well every time the ball came in behind him. He even created some inviting chances in the final third.
CB: Rhys Williams – 7.5/10
He passed the ball well and didn’t let the occasion get to him. Jurgen Klopp would be happy with his performance today.
CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 7/10
The Dutch defender bossed the game from the back and distributed the ball effortlessly and with precision. However, he was guilty of missing a couple of decent goal-scoring chances at the other end.
LB: James Milner – 7/10
The English veteran was defensively solid but struggled to provide any spark in the offensive end of the field. It was another industrious display from him tonight.
CM: Curtis Jones – 7.5/10
The Reds youngster oozes confidence, and he once again showed that today. He was the creative spark from midfield and remained calm to convert his penalty in the shootouts.
CM: Marko Grujic – 7/10
The Serbian midfield ace anchored the centre of the park well and had a couple of decent attempts in the decisive end of the pitch. He used his physicality quite effectively during the 90 minutes.
CM: Harry Wilson – 5/10
The Welshman began the game brightly but failed to make any real impact in the second half. He ended up missing the penalty, which cost Liverpool the game.
RW: Mohamed Salah – 6/10
The Egyptian winger didn’t get any real service and struggled to create too many clear-cut chances in the attacking third. He was subbed in the second half.
ST: Takumi Minamino – 6/10
The Japanese international was unfortunate to hit the woodwork with his attempt from point-blank range. It was a bright display, but he ran out of gas in the final 10 minutes of the contest.
LW: Diogo Jota – 7.5/10
The Portuguese attacker was Liverpool’s best hope for a goal during his time on the field. He made a couple of glorious chances for himself but lacked the finishing touch in front of the goal.
Substitutes:
CM: Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
He kept possession well in the opposition half but played it too safe at times when distributing the ball.
CB: Joe Gomez – 6/10
The English defender did well to see out the clean sheet in the second half.
ST: Divock Origi – 5/10
The Belgian striker made a couple of great runs but ended up missing a crucial penalty in the shootouts.
