A 10-man Arsenal defended brilliantly to hold Liverpool for a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first leg semifinal of the Carabao Cup.
Arsenal were reduced to 10-man in the 24th minute when the Gunners mid-fielder Granit Xhaka stuck out his left leg and smashed it into the chest of the Diogo Jota, prompting the referee to show the red card.
Despite having 78 percent possession throughout the match, Liverpool managed to have only one shot on target as Arsenal showed great defensive performance under pressure.
Liverpool missed their strikers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, who are representing Egypt and Senegal respectively, at the Africa Cup of Nation. The only real chance came for the hosts in the 90th minute when Takumi Minamino fired a shot just over the bar from close range.
Now, both the teams will clash in the second leg at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium next week. The winner of that match will play against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium next month.
Also read: Chelsea enter Carabao Cup final, beat Tottenham 1-0