EFL Cup: Big Guns Bid for Trip Down Wembley Way

Liverpool vs Arsenal

The League Cup has often been downplayed at times over the last quarter of a century.

Yet in whichever vein it has been known, including the EFL Cup, Capital One, Carling and now, Carabao Cup, the list of winners show just how seriously it is taken.

In fact, while it has been used to blood youngsters on occasions, a list of the last three clubs to lift the iconic three-handled trophy – holders Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea – tells its own story.

Indeed, not since exciting Swansea City in 2013 has one of the established big boys missed out on the trophy and this season will be no different.

It’s time for Liverpool and Arsenal to lock horns and, after the first leg of the other tie last week, Chelsea are the likely opponents for the victors in a match expected to produce EFL Cup 2022 highlights.

Talking Points

For Liverpool, a Wembley cup final has been something that has eluded manager Jurgen Klopp ever since his first season at the helm.

In fact, it was in 2016 when he guided them to the final of this competition, where they were defeated on a penalty shoot-out by City.

With City, who have won the tournament for the past four years, long since eliminated, Liverpool are chasing what would be a record ninth EFL Cup triumph (they have currently eight successes alongside their Manchester counterparts).

While they last won the tournament in 2012, Arsenal have to go back to 1993 for the last time they tasted victory.

Ask anyone who remembers that occasion and they are more likely to recall the post-match accident involving Arsenal captain Tony Adams and his match-winning team-mate Steve Morrow when the Gunners saw off Sheffield Wednesday.

Anyway, back to 2022 and this is the chance to see if Mikel Arteta’s men really are on the right path.

A spirited but ultimately unsuccessful New Year’s Day league encounter with City promised so but then came Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the weekend.

If the 1-0 defeat on the Trent was a surprise, it was more so because of their feeble showing and the fact they failed to register an effort on target all match.

That is something they will have to put right and, while missing players through Covid and the African Cup of Nations, both managers are expected to field fairly strong sides for the encounter.

This contest marks the start of a key eight days for Arsenal who face Spurs in the North London derby before next week’s second leg.

If Arteta is going to save Arsenal’s season, the time is now.

History

There is quite a history between these two English greats.

After dominating the English football landscape for 15 years in the 1970s and the 1980s, it was actually Arsenal who triggered the start of Liverpool’s decline with an unforgettable title-clinching victory at Anfield – one of two in three years in the late 80s/early 1990s.

Yet Klopp has largely had the edge in this fixture since he was appointed Liverpool boss in October 2015, including three wins in the last four.

That reverse though was in this competition last season – at the fourth round stage – when the Gunners triumphed 5-4 on spot-kicks after a goalless draw.

Overall, Liverpool have 92 wins compared to Arsenal’s 81 victories and 61 draws.

This is their second meeting this season and Liverpool won the league encounter six weeks ago with plenty to spare, courtesy of goals from Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Takumi Minamino.

Betting Tip

	Liverpool vs Arsenal	1X2 Draw @ 3.35
	January 14, 3:45 (GMT+8)

As you might expect, the SBOTOP EFL Cup 2022 betting odds make Liverpool clear favourites.

The Merseysiders are available to back 1X2 @ 2.15 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 2.16.

The odds on Arsenal are further out, 1X2 @ 3.20 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.38 among the options.

A first-leg draw will pay out @ 3.35.

It is certainly all to play for and an open, attacking game is anticipated judging by the odds of over 3.00 goals @ 2.28, total goal 2-3 @ 1.97 or 4-6 @ 3.10.

If Liverpool are to romp to a second 4-0 success over the Gunners in less than two months, then a pay day of @ 60.00 awaits you with Correct Score.

I do think this match is important for both clubs but even more so for Arsenal and Arteta, smarting from their FA Cup reverse to Forest. That is why I am going to go for a draw as a three-star prediction as the North Londoners look to claw back some respectability and their only chance of silverware this season.

 

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