LIVERPOOL welcome Arsenal to Anfield on Thursday evening. Marcus Ally (@Marcus_Ally_4) oversees the League Cup encounter.
Liverpool vs Arsenal | Thursday 1st October 2020, 19:45 | Sky Sports
For the second time in three days Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield, this time around to compete for a spot in the last-eight of the League Cup.
The two played out a memorable tie at the exact same stage and venue last term, with the Reds winning on spot kicks following a 5-5 draw in 90 minutes. It was a match that saw many youngsters get a chance to strut their stuff with domestic events taking priority.
Jurgen Klopp’s disregard for the English cup competitions has been a topic of wide debate in recent years and coming up against a Gunners gaffer in Mikel Arteta that has increased his reputation immeasurably for taking the FA Cup crown at the back end of 2019/20, suggest that the North Londoners have a much better chance than the prices are suggesting.
The last round
Liverpool and Arsenal both received a bye into the Last 32 of the competition and rung the changes to progress. The Reds’ second string caught the eye in dispatching in form Lincoln 7-2 at Sincil Bank, showcasing some awesome finishing from the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and precocious attacking midfielder Curtis Jones.
Arteta did not rotate as much facing Leicester City’s reserve XI, still picking first team regulars in Bernd Leno, David Luiz and Rob Holding, with striking prodigee Eddie Nketiah getting on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory.
Intentions
The Reds have their sights set on more lucrative trophies than the League Cup this term, whereas for Arsenal it presents a great opportunity to pick up silverware and carry on their momentum.
Arteta will take it more seriously than Unai Emery did last time around, team selection wise and therefore they will hurt Liverpool a lot more than they did on Monday night, with the absence of Virgil Van Dijk and many more key players looking likely.
The betting angles
The goals market looks tasty, not providing an immense amount of value but with four goals scored in the league game where both teams deployed first choice line-ups, fielding weaker defences in this matchup should lead to at least the same amount. Having said that an Over 3.5 Goals punt is odds-against at 13/8 with Betfair.
Belief will not be an issue as Arsenal have beaten Liverpool on two of the last three occasions, and with the likelihood they take this game more seriously than their opponents, they are a huge price to win at 5/2 with SportNation. For some insurance you can get them with a half head-start on the Asian Handicap at 22/25 with bet365.
Finally, a wildcard selection and a player who could be the next breakout star in the well-oiled machine of Liverpool is Curtis Jones.
The 19-year-old captained the club in the FA Cup last season and stole the show in a 1-0 cup victory over local rivals Everton in the same competition, he slammed home two against Lincoln in the last round and seems to be taking every opportunity that Klopp offers to him. Back him to score at anytime with Betfair at 3/1.
Best Bets
Liverpool v Arsenal – Arsenal +0.50 Asian Handicap (22/25 Bet365)
Liverpool v Arsenal – Over 2.5 Goals (4/6 GentingBet)
