Arsenal beats Liverpool 2-1 – Recap and Video Highlights – Wednesday, October 28, 2009

The English Carling Cup’s biggest fourth round had to be Arsenal v Liverpool. The two clubs have played some epic matches in their pasts and on Wednesday they played at the Emirates. Here’s a recap of the match along with video highlights.

Arsenal beats Liverpool 2-1 – Video Highlights

Arsenal came out with confidence and would grab the lead just inside the 20 minute mark. Fran Merida Perez would score in the 19th minute on a great strike but Liverpool countered in the 26th minute with an even better shot from Emiliano Insua. As the first half progressed, Arsenal had the better chances and had the Liverpool defense scrambling at times.

Both teams were using a lot of back-up players as many of the regular starters didn’t even suit up for the match.

The Gunners pushed hard for goal to take back the lead but they couldn’t convert their chances. It was a great first half that would end at the two teams tied at 1-1.

The second half started with Arsenal continuing their momentum from late in the first half.  Nicklas Bendtner scored in the 50th minute with a shot to the upper left corner to make it 2-1. It was a very good finish as he took a dribble past a defender and hit a shot in the corner where Liverpool goalkeeper Cavalieri Diego had little chance.

Liverpool started to get some momentum and chances as the second half continued. The club was playing without Torres and Gerrard but on the other end Arsenal didn’t use many of their top players. Liverpool did become more aggressive as the second half reach the 60th minute mark. Both teams would get chances but Arsenal was the much sharper team throughout the entire match.

The final 15 minutes were very open as the chances were back and forth. Eduardo made a great play to beat a few defenders in the 81st minute and had a shot on goal but just missed wide. A few moments earlier, Ryan Babel had a golden chance but couldn’t get his feet on a pass. Babel was in front of goal and just needed to get a touch on it but couldn’t. The striker would get several chances but his finishing was not great.

Liverpool almost had a breakaway around the 89th minute as Voronin ran onto a through ball. He was ruled offside and the replays show it was a close call that didn’t break in Liverpool’s favor. Liverpool lacked the finishing in the final third without Gerrard and Torres. Liverpool’s luck was worse as Aquilani hit a bycicle kick in the penalty box that should have been ruled a handball as hit Senderos in the lower arm. It came in stoppage time and would have likely sent the match to extra time.

Arsenal would hold on in the final minutes of stoppage time to win 2-1.

Tags: carling cup