Liverpool kick Arsenal out of FA Cup third round

By solacebase.com On Jan 8, 2024

English FA Cup , Arsenal, Liverpool , Emirates Stadium, London, Liverpool, — Liverpool’s players celebrate on the pitch after the English FA Cup third round football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 7, 2024. Liverpool won the game 2-0. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP

Liverpool survived an Arsenal barrage to claim a place in the FA Cup fourth round in dramatic fashion as a pair of late goals sealed a 2-0 win on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp’s side rode their luck for long spells as Arsenal wasted a series of chances before Polish defender Jakub Kiwior headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick into his own net with 10 minutes left.

Luis Diaz wrapped up the smash-and-grab raid in stoppage time.

Liverpool’s first FA Cup win over Arsenal since the 2001 final was a significant moment as the Premier League leaders inflicted a psychological blow on one of their main title rivals.

Arsenal have now won only once in their last six games in all competitions, an unexpected stumble that leaves them out of the FA Cup and League Cup and five points behind Liverpool in the title race.

No wonder Klopp celebrated with such gusto at the final whistle, pumping his fists in acknowledgment of a victory that could springboard Liverpool’s bid to win four trophies.

“In the end, we came through. I’m really happy we could win this game. Arsenal could have won it without a doubt. We finished it off and it spoke for the character of the boys,” Klopp said.

The Reds, who drew 1-1 with Arsenal in the Premier League in December, face Fulham in the League Cup semi-final first leg in midweek and are also through to the Europa League last 16.

“The performance was there and the amount of chances too. We just have to win the game, but we lost it and we are not capitalising,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said.

Klopp was without Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo, who are competing at the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively, and the ill Virgil Van Dijk.

Martin Odegaard should have rewarded the Gunners for their vibrant start, but the midfielder blasted his shot off the bar from 12 yards.

Ben White’s thunderous strike from just inside the area forced a superb tip-over from Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker.

Liverpool ride their luck

By the time Kai Havertz wasted two good opportunities in quick succession, Arteta must have feared Arsenal would pay for their profligacy.

Arteta held his head in frustration as Bukayo Saka volleyed over from a dangerous position.

Liverpool finally came to life and Luis Diaz’s snap-shot was well saved by Aaron Ramsdale, while Diogo Jota hit the woodwork.

In the 80th minute, Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick was headed into his own net by Kiwior and Diaz sealed the win in the final seconds of stoppage-time as he took Jota’s pass and fired home from 10 yards.

AFP