Carabao Cup

LIVERPOOL are battling a fresh spate of injuries after Thiago Alcantara picked up a knock against Crystal Palace.The Spaniard will miss Tuesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Norwich along with Roberto Firmino, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino, Neco Williams and Harvey Elliott.
Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold are two absent Liverpool starsCredit: Getty
Following a quiet first season at Anfield, Thiago was impressing against Palace but had to come off after an hour.
Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders has confirmed that a scan will reveal the midfielder’s recovery timeframe. 
Ljinders told the club website: “I can’t say now how long it will take but definitely not tomorrow and not at the weekend.
“Let’s get the scan results back and we have a proper diagnosis. 
“[It’s] a shame as well because he was taking the game by the hand, he was a proper playmaker in my opinion.
“In one week we lose two really influential midfielders, that’s the bad thing.”

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The quintet of unavailable stars comes after Liverpool suffered a nightmare 2020-21 campaign on the fitness front.
But there is optimism that Alexander-Arnold will be fit to return for Saturday’s trip to Brentford following a bout of non-Covid related illness.
While Williams and Firmino are on the road to recovery, with Elliott due to remain sidelined for a number of months.
Lijnders added: “Our game basically started at 12 o’clock against Palace – [Trent] took responsibility to speak with the doctor.
“It was not easy because these guys – it says a lot about our group anyway – they want to play everything, [even] if they feel a bit shaky or ill. But he took the responsibility.
“With speaking about Trent, I have to speak about Millie immediately – it started with a James Milner lecture and it ended with him dominating the complete right flank. We wanted to solve the situation with Trent with experience but we got much more.
Trent should be fine in a few days but Norwich comes too early.Pepijn Lijnders
“So, really proud and really happy that we have these players who can fill in, in each moment in time, and do the things he did.
“That’s Trent, there are no symptoms – no Covid symptoms. We test regardless. He should be fine in a few days but Norwich comes too early.
“Then we have Bobby, who will do parts of team training but also not ready. But progressing well. 
“And Neco is progressing well as well. [For him] tomorrow also comes too early.”

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

Klopp says Harvey Elliott is doing ok after horrific dislocated ankle More

MIKEL ARTETA insists it is no coincidence that Arsenal showman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is back to his best following the return of the fans.Gunners captain Auba scored a Carabao Cup hat-trick to secure his team’s first win of the season.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat-trick as Arsenal stuffed West Brom 6-0Credit: Getty
Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette also got on the scoresheet in the 6-0 thumping at West Brom.
Arsenal take on AFC Wimbledon in their third-round clash at the Emirates.
And delighted Arteta was full of praise for his skipper Aubameyang.
The manager said: “Auba is a happy character and he needs that connection with the fans so to have them back is really positive for him.
“I said that the leadership and solutions to win matches has to come from the senior players and this was a good example.
“This result will give us a lot of confidence but I am most pleased with the spirit and togetherness that we could share with our supporters.

BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
“We had some players that needed minutes and with the players we had available tonight it was best for us to have Auba up front leading the attack.”
Aubameyang, starting his first game since testing positive for coronavirus, said: “We’ve had a tough start to the season but the commitment of the players has always been there and this can give us something to build our confidence.
“Every hat-trick is special for me. I keep every match ball for my kids and I will try to get all the players to sign this one.”

Now Arsenal go to Manchester City looking for their first points of the season and Arteta said: “Winning helps with the motivation and desire to go and win the match on Saturday.”
West Brom boss Valerien Ismael, whose side shipped six, said: “We knew there was a chance of a result like this when we made so many changes but I don’t regret the decision.
“We played very well at the start and created the first big chance of the game but the first goal was because of a big mistake by us and after that it was difficult for us against a team of Arsenal’s quality.”
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
Mikel Arteta reacts to Arsenal’s 6-0 win over West Brom in the Carabao Cup More

ARSENAL have been handed a favourable Carabao Cup third round home tie against AFC Wimbledon after thrashing West Brom.The Gunners eased into the next round of the cup after hitting the Baggies for six at the Hawthorns – with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bagging a hat-trick.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side thrashed West Brom 6-0 in their Carabao Cup second round tieCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
Manchester United will take on West Ham at Old Trafford next monthCredit: Getty
And Mikel Arteta’s reward for Arsenal’s first win of the season is a clash against League One outfit AFC Wimbledon.
Meanwhile Manchester United have been pitted against West Ham at Old Trafford in one of the standout draws of the round.
Both teams enter in the third round with the pair involved in European competitions this campaign.
Holders Manchester City will face high-flying Wycombe Wanderers, who sit second in the League One table.
And it’s a return to Wolves for Nuno Espirito Santo yet again with Tottenham to take on the Midlands outfit at Molineux.
Chelsea will face Aston Villa in what has potential to be one of the most exciting games of the round.

BETTING SPECIAL – GET £50 IN FREE BETS WITH WILLIAM HILL
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will face Norwich at Carrow Road in a repeat of their Premier League opener, which the Reds won 3-0.
FA Cup holders Leicester face a tricky tie away at Millwall, while Everton travel to Loftus Road to take on QPR and Sheffield United host Southampton after the Saints’ 8-0 drubbing of Newport.
Meanwhile, Fulham have been drawn against Leeds, Brighton welcome Swansea to the Amex Stadium and Brentford face Oldham.

Watford’s reward for knocking out Crystal Palace is a home tie against Stoke, while Burnley take on Rochdale at Turf Moor.
And Preston host Cheltenham while Wigan welcome Sunderland to the DW Stadium.
CARABAO CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW IN FULL

QPR vs Everton
Preston vs Cheltenham
Manchester United vs West Ham
Fulham vs Leeds
Brentford vs Oldham
Watford vs Stoke
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Wigan vs Sunderland
Norwich vs Liverpool
Burnley vs Rochdale
Arsenal vs AFC Wimbledon
Sheffield United vs Southampton
Man City vs Wycombe
Millwall vs Leicester
Wolves vs Tottenham
Brighton vs Swansea

All third round ties will be played the week commencing September 20.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

Arsenal fans taunt West Brom with X-rated ‘we’re winning away’ song after Aubameyang scores opener in Carabao Cup tie More