Liverpool beat Arsenal to reach Carabao Cup final

Sports Desk, Jan 20 (EFE).- Diogo Jota had a brace Thursday to lead Liverpool 2-0 over Arsenal and put the Reds in the Carabao Cup final.

Having held Liverpool 0-0 in the first leg at Anfield despite playing nearly 70 minutes with 10 men, the Gunners started promisingly in front of the home crowd at the Emirates.

Arsenal dominated the first 10 minutes and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher had to extend himself to tip an Alexander Lacazette free kick onto the cross-bar.

But that proved to be the high point of the night for the hosts, who went behind in the 19th minute thanks to Jota, the spearhead of the Reds attack in the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both away on African Cup of Nations duty.

A pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold found the Portuguese striker racing down the flank and Jota got around defender Takehiro Tomiyasu before pushing the ball past keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The Gunners remained in the contest and kept the margin to one goal until Jota completed the double in the 77th minute, though Liverpool had to wait for a VAR check to confirm he was onside.

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the Feb. 27 final at London’s Wembley Stadium.

For Arsenal, the result foreclosed their last remaining possibility for silverware this season, but Mikel Arteta’s men remain in the fight for fourth place and the accompanying berth in the 2022-2023 Champions League. EFE

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