Arsenal visit Anfield in fourth round tie

Liverpool play host to Unai Emery’s Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, with both sides hoping to head to the last eight of the competition.

With Jurgen Klopp’s men coasting past Milton Keynes Dons and Arsenal demolishing Nottingham Forest, both sides are aspirational of winning the first major domestic silverware of the season.

Man Utd and Chelsea face off in a re-visit to the ‘Grand Slam’ fixtures of the mid-noughties too, meaning at least two of the ‘Big Six’ will be exiting the competition at the fourth round stage. Not to forget Tottenham’s defeat to Colchester in the previous round.

Liverpool soared past Spurs yet again at Anfield last time out, with Jordan Henderson and Mo Salah getting on the scoresheet – a ninth win out of ten and leaves them six points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League.

Arsenal were considerably mediocre in their 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, with captain Granit Xhaka hoarding headlines for his behaviour whilst being substituted. Sokratis and David Luiz’s goals were cancelled out by Luka Milivojevic and Jordan Ayew’s strikes.

Liverpool’s last two losses at Anfield (baring in mind this record goes back to January 2018) have both been in cup competition, meaning the magic of Anfield may not be as affluent in domestic knockout tournaments.

Team news

For the Reds, Joel Matip and Xherdan Shaqiri remain the only definite absentees. But with the Cup’s reputation and Liverpool’s fixture congestion there is likely to be heavy rotation. Youngsters Caoimhin Kelleher, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster are all likely to feature.

Much akin to the home side, Emery has been eager to rotate in this competition in his reign so far. Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson are almost nailed on to start after their goals in the third round, with Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka also likely to play.

We won’t be seeing Granit Xhaka though, after Unai Emery confirmed the ‘devastated’ skipper needed a break after his Emirates antics.

Ljinders believes in Elliott as teenager is set for inclusion

“We can’t forget that he is only 16, of course. We have to be careful with that. But how I see him, since I have been working with him, I see a very educated boy. I see a boy who is really passionate for the game.

“If you come here, and you see James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Gini Wijnaldum, Virgil Van Dijk, Bobby Firmino – all examples in different ways. Players who never whine. Players who never complain or make excuses. In the hardest moments, they never give up and they never give up our way.

“They always put the team above themselves. For a young player, you could not wish to have a better environment to grow. Talent needs models, not criticism. There’s not a much more powerful weapon than the examples of senior pros.”

Emery feels for ‘devastated’ Xhaka

“Now he is upset, devastated and sad. It is not only yesterday and today. He is feeling the supporters don’t like him.

“His commitment with the club is a great commitment every time. He wants to help. His behaviour was perfect in training, with the group and with the club. He knows he was wrong. He was wrong and he feels it inside very deeply. But that is normal as a human.”