The EFL/Carabao Cup : My B team is better than your B team

Kliq

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There have been several notable times in this game where Spurs had a chance to create a real chance and the key pass has been HILARIOUSLY bad. Winks smashing a through ball way past Kane. Emerson bombing a cross over everybody, etc.
 

scott bankheadcase

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There have been several notable times in this game where Spurs had a chance to create a real chance and the key pass has been HILARIOUSLY bad. Winks smashing a through ball way past Kane. Emerson bombing a cross over everybody, etc.
Honestly, I love him but Kane's pass to Lucas was terrible.
 

Kliq

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This would be the third time I think this year the game had to be stopped for Spurs due to a medical emergency in the stands, and I don't recall ever seeing that happen during a major sporting event before.
 

Seven Costanza

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Chelsea reach a cup final for the sixth season in a row. Not bad.

Tuchel hasn't even been here a year yet, and has reached the final of the FA Cup, Champions League and now League Cup. Not bad at all.
 

Pesky Pole

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Just as I predicted, a super weak lineup of kids:

#LFC line up v Arsenal: Alisson, Trent AA, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Jota, Firmino, Minamino
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Arsenal are without Odegaard, Tomiyasu, and Smith-Rowe in addition to their four Afcon players. Going to struggle to keep the ball I think.

All three attacking players on the subs bench for Arsenal would be making their first team debuts if they come on. Hell of an atmosphere to do it in.

I'll be happy if Arsenal are still in the tie after tonight but I see this going badly.

View: https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1481697456962383874
 

Pesky Pole

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So 5 substitutes in Carabao Cup but only during 3 breaks in play right? That's two breaks in play for Arsenal so they have halftime but would need to hold the last for any injuries.
 

SoxFanInCali

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You have to imagine either Curtis Jones or Ox for Milner at halftime. Arsenal parking the bus quite well.
Yeah, this is one of those scenarios where playing against 10 may not be as big of an advantage as you would think. Normally they try to attack and Liverpool have done well the last few years tearing them apart on the counter, but now they are mostly all behind the ball.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Milner is maybe the player I'd least want out there with a manpower advantage. Jones should've been on at half
 

Pesky Pole

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This is a huge result for Arsenal no matter what happens from here. And they don't look like they'll give up even a single goal.
 

PedroSpecialK

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Yep, Arsenal have looked more likely to score since the sending off - nothing in Liverpool's tactics to create 2-v-1s anywhere on the pitch to take advantage.
 

Pesky Pole

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if Xhaka doesn't foul Jota, it's probably Liverpool's second best opportunity of the game so it ended up working out. Not that he should get any credit for it but his team sure did bail him out.
 

PedroSpecialK

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The Athletic article detailing Dr. Klopp's shady laboratory maneuvers

Tl;dr from the article:
  • Liverpool decided to send their players for precautionary PCR tests using a laboratory called BioGrad after a round of negative lateral flow tests
  • Liverpool requested the postponement before knowing the results from this additional round of testing
  • Liverpool conducted this additional testing because they were fearful of a second outbreak at the club, but it went beyond what was needed to get the tie played
  • Positive results were then returned for 13 players
  • When these erroneous tests were discounted, neither the club or any of the other authorities in the process highlighted that development publicly
  • Klopp’s incorrect terminology triggered the EFL into thinking it might have to open an investigation. However it is clear that Liverpool had no motive to get the game called off
  • Some Liverpool players were unhappy and frustrated they were unable to play in two games and were forced into isolation, away from their families, despite not having COVID-19

An additional tidbit of note: Kenny Dalglish's daughter works as a Commercial Manager at BioGrad (sleuthed by the Arsenal subreddit) - would be fitting if cost-cutting for the club was the motivation for using BioGrad, without which this whole mess would've been avoided
 

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Both teams look well off the pace. I was glad to see ESR and Tomiyasu on the team sheet but neither one looks anywhere near fit. Liverpool have been solid but don't seem at their sharpest by any means.

Great run by Jota, even if he kind of scuffed the finish.

Neither side has much to bring off the bench. I wonder when we’ll see Partey. Arsenal often struggle trying to play with only one real central midfielder.
 
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