Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker:
Only days removed from their Premier League meeting at Anfield earlier in the week, Liverpool and Arsenal will turn their attention to EFL Cup duties on Thursday night.
Liverpool
Starting with the hosts, capitalising on Manchester City’s early slip-up and with Jurgen Klopp praising his side’s display on Monday night, Liverpool have certainly laid down an early marker since opening the 2020/2021 campaign. Coming from behind and landing what was a thoroughly deserved 3-1 win over the Gunners at Anfield earlier in the week, the defending champions have opened the New Year with a 100% start and are one of just three teams who can boast such a record heading into October. While the former Borussia Dortmund boss might have a mild headache over his side still failing to lad a clean sheet so far this season, Liverpool have certainly shown a real clinical edge in the final third. Along with putting seven past League One Lincoln on the road last week, Klopp’s fringe outfit will be looking to keep up their momentum on Thursday night.
Team News
The Reds will be without new signing Thiago Alcantara, who has tested positive for coronavirus and is now self-isolating.
Skipper Jordan Henderson will once again miss out as he continues to recover from the knock he picked up in the 2-0 win at Chelsea on 20 September.
Arsenal
As for the visitors, losing their 100% start away at Anfield on Monday night and offering very little return after taking the lead early on, Mikel Arteta will be calling on a more polished display in midweek. With Pep Guardiola’s former right-hand man making it clear that his side are still growing since taking charge in North London last year, his heavily altered squad did impress away at the King Power on EFL Cup duties last week. Despite making a string of changes on their travels, Arsenal picked up a 2-0 win away at fellow top-four hopefuls Leicester. However, in for what should be another tough step up in midweek, it should be noted that the Gunners do hold what is a hugely concerning record on Merseyside. Along with that penalties defeat in last year’s EFL Cup after that stunning 5-5 draw, Arsenal have now remarkably failed to secure a win at Anfield since 2012.
Team News
Arsenal defenders Cedric Soares and Sokratis Papastathopoulos have returned to full training following calf issues and could feature.
Iceland goalkeeper Alex Runarsson could also make his debut in the game.
Key Factors to Consider
Landing a 3-1 win when the two sides faced off on Monday night, Liverpool are unbeaten against Arsenal at Anfield since 2012.
In their four competitive matchups so far this season, Liverpool have scored 16 goals.
Each of the last eight straight meetings between Thursday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.
When the two sides faced off in last year’s EFL Cup at Anfield, they played out a stunning 5-5 draw.
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has scored in all three of the Gunners’ Premier League matchups, including finding
the net at Anfield on Monday night.
Conclusion
While Liverpool might be expected to once again ring the changes on Thursday night, Jurgen Klopp’s fringe squad did impress away at Lincoln last week. Putting seven past the League One outfit and continuing on what has been quite the free scoring start to the New Year, we could be in for another thriller at Anfield. With each of the last eight straight meetings between the two sides seeing both teams find the net, including that 5-5 thriller last year, we’re backing another night where chances come thick and fast.
Verdict: Both teams to score Over 2.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker:
