First Half

Arsenal held on for over an hour following Granit Xhaka’s first-half red card to earn a 0-0 draw in the starting leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with Liverpool at Anfield.

After a high boot injured Diogo Jota in the chest on the edge of the box in the 23rd minute, the Swiss midfielder was sent off for preventing a goalscoring opportunity.

Despite Jurgen Klopp fielding his strongest available XI, Liverpool looked weak in attack without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, both at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Takumi Minamino missed the most excellent chance for the home side when he sliced over with the goal, splitting in the 89th minute before Ben White cleared replacement Neco William’s dangerous low effort in extra time.

Second Half

Arsenal deserved a point following a solid defensive effort and had the best chance of the game before Minamino’s mistake when Saka forced Alisson into a save midway through the second half.

Liverpool was off to a good start in the semi-final, pushing the visitors back early on, but they were careless in possession. As a result, they failed to produce clear-cut openings, especially following Xhaka’s dismissal, much to Klopp’s and the home fans’ anger.

Mike Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, will be impressed by his team’s desire not to work at Anfield and how home advantage to look forward to as both sides attempt to book their spot in the final against Chelsea at Wembley in February.