Liverpool vs Arsenal Carabao Cup preview, team news, betting & prediction

Arsenal will look to put another turbulent weekend behind them when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday night in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The Gunners have endured a frustrating few weeks and after slumping to a shock 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last Monday night they blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace in a controversial match at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal fans were left angered after a late Sokratis goal was harshly ruled out by VAR and the game was overshadowed by a clash between captain Granit Xhaka and the supporters as he was substituted in the second half.

The pressure is now firmly on boss Unai Emery to turn things around but the Spaniard faces a daunting task against the run-away Premier League leaders at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Liverpool restored their six-point lead over Manchester City with a comeback win over Tottenham at the weekend so they’ll be in confident mood heading in to the Carabao Cup fourth round clash with Arsenal.

Team news

Liverpool have been handed a boost as Mohamed Salah was able to train today despite limping out of the win over Tottenham with an ankle complaint. However, the attacker is expected to be rested on Wednesday night.

Xherdan Shaqiri remains out with a calf injury while Joel Matip is unlikely to recover from a knee problem in time to face Arsenal but the likes of Joe Gomez, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Ki-Jana Hoever and Rhian Brewster are all expected to feature.

Arsenal will be without Reiss Nelson due to a knee injury but otherwise have a fully-fit squad to choose from. Emery is set to field a weakened side with the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Kieran Tierney and Matteo Guendouzi rested.

Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding, Joe Willock, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are expected to be recalled while Xhaka will be taken out of the spotlight following his clash with Arsenal fans at the weekend.

Betting

Many of the best betting websites for New Zealand players have Liverpool as the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. The hosts can be backed at odds of 4/9 to qualify while Arsenal are being priced at 17/10 to go through at Anfield. Liverpool won the league game 3-1 earlier in the season and a repeat scoreline is available at odds of 11/1. Divock Origi should see some game-time and the Belgian is well priced to score first at odds of 11/2.

Prediction

Liverpool are formidable at Anfield having not lost in over 50 games in all competitions so this is going to be an extremely tough task for an Arsenal side that have been woeful away from home for the past few years. The fact both sides should field weakened teams will help the Gunners so this may be a closer game than if the first teams were playing, however, I still expect Liverpool to edge it.

I expect plenty of goals at Anfield on Wednesday night as these are two attacking teams who usually serve up an exciting game but I’m backing Liverpool to win a thriller. Liverpool 3-2 Arsenal