The first of two legs kicks off on Thursday to determine who will face Chelsea in the League Cup final. The first match had to be postponed due to COVID cases at Liverpool combined with Africa Cup of Nations absences, but now both teams are hit hard. Arsenal could be without Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard in a midfield that is already missing Thomas Partey. Outside of absences from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita, they will only be without Divock Origi and Thiago Alcantara due to injuries.
Here’s are storylines, how you can watch the match and more:
How to watch and odds
- Date: Thursday, Jan 13. | Time: 2:45 p.m. ET
- Location: Anfield — Liverpool, England
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Liverpool -155; Draw +305; Arsenal +400 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Liverpool: Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s recovery from coronavirus will be a large boost to a Liverpool side in need of attacking reinforcements without Salah. The match will come too soon for Harvey Elliott but he will also return to first-team training soon. As Liverpool faces Brentford in the league on Sunday, they can play a strong side here with minimal worries as Jurgen Klopp chases another trophy.
Arsenal: The Gunners will have wanted to play this match as originally scheduled considering that their team is now weaker than a few days ago. Add in a last-second loss to Manchester City along with an FA Cup upset to Nottingham Forest and morale couldn’t be lower for Mikel Arteta’s side. It will all be on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli’s shoulders along with a strong defensive performance to get this done. Arsenal hasn’t fared well against top six sides this season but this is another chance for a statement victory.
Prediction
The absence of Odegaard will be too much for Arsenal to overcome as Diogo Jota runs riot at home. Pick: Liverpool 2, Arsenal 0
