Carabao Cup 2020/21: Arsenal vs Liverpool

Arsenal vs Liverpool ended with the North Londoners winning on penalties. The match was a display of some stunning individual brilliance from Bernd Leno.

Liverpool came close and troubled the Arsenal defence several times. However Bernd Leno denied every Liverpool opportunity to score. The match ended 0-0 after regulation time. The London club won on penalties after two brilliant Leno saves in the shootout.

First Half

Back here… again! ?

? #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/BtsMg9hS0w
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2020

Liverpool and Arsenal met within one week of having played in the Premier League. With the previous match ending in a defeat for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta’s men were ready for revenge this time.

FS Video

The first half was a rather dull one with not much happening on either side. However towards the end, Liverpool brought out some brilliant saves from Leno. First a header from Diogo Jota was thumped away and then Minamino on the volley hit the post on the follow-up.

Second Half

Close! ?@RobHolding95 goes close to making the breakthrough with a powerful header, but Adrian makes a vital save

? 0-0 ⚪️ (70)

? #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/J8WncmEHd1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2020

The second half came with saw a better attacking display from both sides. And Liverpool controlled the initial stages of the first half. Rob Holding did well to rise above and produce a thumping header. However his shot went straight at Adrian who managed to steer it away.

Big save, Bernd! ?@Bernd_Leno reacts quickly to make a crucial reflex save to stop Van Dijk prodding in from close range

? 0-0 ⚪️ (53)

? #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/OIkMRZEvzB
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 1, 2020

But, the star of the show was the German goalkeeper. Leno made multiple saves to deny Liverpool. First a lovely volley from Diogo Jota was saved and then he probably produced the save of the match. A high dipping header and Leno flew like a superman to parry it away.

Penalties

Arsenal were the better penalty takers and hence won. However it was the Gunners who missed first with Mohamed Elneny’sr shot saved by Adrian. Then Leno was there to make reparations on Arsenal’s behalf and saved the next shot from Divock Origi.

Then Harry Wilson of Liverpool missed and Willock somehow found the back of the net with his shot creeping under Adrian ! Arsenal finally won 5-4 on penalties at Anfield to dump Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup.