Carabao Cup

NOT one but TWO Scotsmen on the same pitch contesting a place in a major English cup final. Hooray for Holyrood.OK, it was only the face off between opposing left backs Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney in the semi-final second-leg of the Carabao Cup.
Kieran Tierney was bested by fellow Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson as Arsenal lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Robertson kept Bukayo Saka quiet throughout in the second-leg at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
Hardly in the same level of excitement as Graeme Souness, Charlie Nicholas and Kenny Dalgish.
But it’s still the kind of football milestone that won’t have gone unnoticed north of the border, where putting your boots on the right feet is an excuse for a celebration p*** up.
Robertson and Tierney often line up together in defence for their national team.
But at the Emirates it was time to see who handled the occasion better with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
Liverpool’s crusading and fiery full-back Robertson has lost only one game for club and one for his country this season.
It might be coincidence but Liverpool didn’t win while he served a three-match ban over Christmas, underlining his influence and importance to boss Jurgen Klopp.
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He is 25th on the list of Scotland’s all-time greats according to the SFA – sandwiched between fellow tartan illuminaries Andy Goram and Kenny Miller.
He is embedded in this Liverpool team and cemented into the left back slot for Scotland.
And he shouldn’t be too concerned about losing it to his Arsenal counterpart anytime soon.
Where Robertson was vocal, mobile and confident, Tierney struggled to get out of the shadow of an official Scottish legend.
Tasked with marking rookie winger Kaide Gordon, it should have been a routine night for Tierney to mop up any danger then throw his weight behind waves of Arsenal attacks.
Particularly with home advantage putting wind in his back after doing the hard bit and grinding a 0-0 draw at Anfield in the first-leg last week.
It can only have been direct orders from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ordering Tierney to restrain himself and let Gabriel Martinelli do the hard work up front.
One feeble cross into the box in the first-half and a throw-in near the by-line with 16 minutes to go was the best he could offer going forwards.
As one of three Gunners defenders closing in on Diogo Jota, Tierney turned away and allowed the Portuguese schemer to stick the ball between his feet en route to the goal with a shot that barely reached the line.
Robertson meanwhile, did a sterling job keeping Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka quiet on the opposing flank.
A magnificent block in the first half when the exciting youngster was through on goal, followed by barking a stream of orders at his defence.
One error early on with a poorly-timed tackle on the exciting England winger led to Alexandre Lacazette grazing the bar with a free kick.
But Robbo is on his way to Wembley next month and rightly so after an unofficial captain’s performance at the back played a key role in seeing Liverpool through.
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ARSENAL lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg at the Emirates on Thursday as their Wembley dream crumbled.Takehiro Tomiyasu had an absolute shocker at right-back while Martin Odegaard’s calmness and class in midfield meant he was one of few bright sparks for the home side.
Martin Odegaard was best of a fairly average bunch at the EmiratesCredit: EPA
Takehiro Tomiyasu looked miles off the pace and had a night to forgetCredit: Rex
Alexandre Lacazette hit the bar with a free-kick in the early stages after Bukayo Saka was brought down on the edge of the box.
And just minutes later Diogo Jota left Tomiyasu for dead before his scuffed effort wrong-footed Aaron Ramsdale and trickled over the line.
It was a fairly attritional affair for the remainder with neither team creating any huge chances until Jota sealed the win with 13 minutes to go.
Arsenal lost the ball in sloppy fashion in the middle of the park, Trent Alexander-Arnold looped a trademark ball over the top, and Jota took it on his chest and dinked it over the on-rushing Ramsdale.
It survived a VAR check that showed Gabriel just played him onside and the Merseysiders cruised to the end without being troubled.
And here’s what SunSport’s William Pugh thought of the Gunners’ individual performances.
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AARON RAMSDALE – 6/10
Couldn’t do much for the first goal as Jota’s mis-hit fooled everyone.
Huge double save just before the hour mark when he kept Ibrahima Konate’s header out from a corner before blocking Jordan Henderson’s goal-bound effort from the floor.
Wasn’t to know the England midfielder was offside for the second one.
Well beaten by a great Jota finish for 2-0.
Ramsdale could only watch on as Jota put Liverpool aheadCredit: Reuters
TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU – 3
Had an absolute stinker.
Beaten too easily by Jota as the Portuguese whiz dribbled round him to tuck home the opening goal.
Generally sloppy in and out of possession from then on.
Booked for tugging back Curtis Jones after he let the Liverpool midfielder nick it off him.
Jota dribbled round Tomiyasu too easily before he made it 1-0 in the 20th minuteCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
GABRIEL – 5
Stood up to everything thrown at him.
Couldn’t be blamed for Liverpool’s opener and then largely saw the game played in front of him.
Played Jota onside – just – as the winger took it on his chest and sealed Liverpool’s win.
BEN WHITE – 5
Solid enough for most of the evening. Couldn’t do anything for Jota’s opener.
But let the winger past him too easily in the second-half and saw his blushes saved when Kaide Gordon blasted Jota’s pass over the ball.
Vital block on an Alexander-Arnold cross just past the hour-mark which prevented an almost certain Liverpool goal.
Ben White and Gabriel could only watch on as Jota’s effort trickled over the line in the first halfCredit: Getty
KIERAN TIERNEY – 6
Professional performance. Earned his money.
Took a whack in the face from Ramsdale in the second-half which was about the most exciting thing involving the Scot all night.
Kieran Tierney was his usual professional selfCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
ALBERT SAMBI LOKONGA – 6
Looked a little flustered on occasion as he played at the base of midfield with Odegaard.
Played a superb ball through to Lacazette which the Frenchman should have scored on 48 minutes.
No huge impact but OK overall.
BUKAYO SAKA – 5
One of his quieter games.
Struggled against Robertson down Arsenal’s right as Liverpool’s deep defensive block made counter-attacks difficult for the Gunners.
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Classy and calm under pressure throughout.
Played slightly deeper to assist Lokonga and looked a cut above his team-mates.
The Gunners missed his creative influence further up the pitch where he usually plays.
Martin Odegaard was a cut above when on the ballCredit: Reuters
EMILE SMITH ROWE (subbed 73mins) – 4
The game largely passed him by.
Fluffed a big chance on the hour mark when a cleared Arsenal corner fell to him on the edge of the box but he blazed over.
And killed a promising Gunners break with 23 minutes to go when his weak pass to Saka was easily intercepted as Liverpool were on the ropes.
Understandably hauled off as the Gunners looked for an equaliser.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Full of energy and running and had Alexander-Arnold worried on occasion.
But lacked end product whenever he got into a decent position.
Beat Alexander-Arnold to force an easy save from Caoimhin Kelleher in the second-half.
Looked like he was playing better than he actually was. Frustrating for Gooners no doubt.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE (subbed, 73mins) – 5
His free-kick was destined for the top corner before Kelleher got a finger tip to it and brushed it onto the crossbar.
Booked for a late challenge on Curtis Jones just before the break.
Blazed over the bar when played through by Sambi Lokonga early in the second-half.
Hooked as Mikel Arteta chased an equaliser.
Lacazette got this free-kick over the wall but it cannoned back off the crossbarCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
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Subs
EDDIE NKETIAH (replaced Lacazette) – 5
Zero impact from the bench.
THOMAS PARTEY (replaced Smith Rowe) – 3
Was praised in the build up for turning up at the game straight from the airport where he landed at midday from Afcon duty with Ghana.
But made Arteta wish he’d stayed in Cameroon when he was shown two quick-fire yellow cards and was sent off with mere minutes remaining.
The first was shown on 87 minutes before a stupid lunge on Fabinho three minutes later sealed his fate.
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