Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup after scoring two late goals to defeat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Jorginho, Reiss Nelson and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale shifted in as the Gunners named three changes from the Fulham defeat, while Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott, Alexis Mac Allister, Coady Gakpo all entered for the Reds following Monday’s win over Newcastle United.
A slow period of momentum and intensity led to minimal forays, as a long ball by Ramsdale from a back-pass forced Alisson Becker to commit and thwart the advanced Nelson.
The Gunners very nearly made the opening past ten minutes when Kai Havertz snatched possession from a loose pass to cutback for captain Martin Odegaard to volley against the crossbar.
Liverpool began to get in advanced areas just around the half-hour mark as a promising free-kick by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shaved the top before it hit the side-netting.
There were more chances on either side a little to halftime with Odegaard around the box to release Havertz in on the head from the far post, but the German shaped wide.
Arsenal pushed again a minute in the second period and came close when Bukayo Saka shaped a shot after going past Joe Gomez, but Alisson parried.
On the other hand, the Reds showed a double change 12 minutes following the resumption as Mac Allister made way for Ryan Gravenberch before Diogo Jota rolled in for Gakpo.
Not too much separated the two later as matters progressed, with the Reds handing young guns in Bradley Clark and Conor Bradley run outs.
Arsenal were behind in rather unfortunate circumstances as Jakub Kiwior steered a ball in the area from Alexander-Arnold into his own net.
With time running out, Liverpool added a second goal through a smart finish from Luis Diaz off Jota’s pass to send the Gunners packing in front of their own supporters.
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