Strong Second Half Lead Reds To Next Round Of FA Cup

TOPSHOT - 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) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool were missing four of their usual starters, but that did not matter. The Reds were the beneficiary of an Arsenal own goal in the 80th minute and Luis Díaz scored deep in stoppage time to seal a 2-0 over the Gunners in the third round of the FA Cup. Liverpool will not have to wait long to find out their next opponent as the fourth-round draw will be held on Monday, January 8th.

First Half

Arsenal had an early chance in the third minute, but the shot was missed to the left. Liverpool were kept under pressure as Alisson was forced into a save in the eighth minute. Arsenal hit the bar moments later.

After the opening barrage concluded, Liverpool settled into the game, earning a corner in the 21st minute. Alisson made another save in the 27th minute and 37th minute. After two more saves from Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the Arsenal crossbar as the sides entered the half scoreless.

Second Half

Liverpool started the second half on the front foot. Joe Gomez put a shot high and Darwin Núñez missed wide. Arsenal also missed a couple of chances as the match reached the hour mark still scoreless. Harvey Elliott forced a save in the 64th minute. Moments later, Núñez had a breakaway, but he misplayed a pass to Luis Díaz causing the attack to fizzle out.

Liverpool had a flurry of chances in the 77th minute as Díaz forced a save and Diogo Jota nearly scored on a header from the resulting corner.

The Reds broke through in the 80th minute. After substitute Ryan Gravenberch earned a foul deep in the attacking third. Alexander-Arnold delivered a beautiful free kick in the box and the ball came off of Jakub Kiwor for an own goal and a 1-0 Liverpool lead.

Over the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time, Arsenal kept pushing for an equalizer, the defence came up with several big clearances. That opened things up for the counterattack and Díaz cashed it in with a second goal to put the game away, allowing Liverpool to advance to the next round of the FA Cup.

It’s The Goals That Count

In all honesty, Liverpool were outplayed for most of the match and the stats back that up. They had fewer shots, shots on goal, corner kicks and possession, but unlike Arsenal, they took advantage of their chances in the second half. In many ways the scoring of the own goal was unfortunate because Alexander-Arnold’s free kick was so good, if anyone touched it, the ball was going to find the back of the net. It just happened to be an Arsenal player. Then Díaz put away a clinical finish to account for the final margin.

Klopp’s Comments

As expected Jürgen Klopp was very happy with the performance and the result, particularly the club’s play in the second half.

“We had chances to score earlier but scored in the last second, which is fine as well and we are really happy,” Klopp said. “We all know cup competitions are not about being the better team, it’s about winning the game and we had in the second half much more good moments and deserved the next round. But of course, we could have lost tonight as well, that’s clear.”

A Tip Of The Cap To The Teens

Because of injuries and absences, 5 of Liverpool’s 9 available subs were teenagers with little to no experience with the Senior Team. That did not stop them from making big contributions when called upon. Conor Bradley and Bobby Clark came on just before the own goal and came up with clearances and smartly committed professional fouls kept Arsenal from finding an equalizer.

LFC Globe Verdict

This was a bit of a shock result for me. Liverpool had all the cards stacked against them and played poorly in the first half. The patchwork lineup came together in the second half to pull out a road victory in a cup competition. It does not get much better than that

Man Of The Match

For me, it’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. His experience was a calming force for the younger players on the pitch. He hit the crossbar with a sizzling shot at the end of the first half and then delivered the free kick that led to the own goal.