Published on 08.01.2024
Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Arsenal, who were punished for their numerous missed opportunities.
Mikel Arteta’s team had hoped to bounce back from two consecutive Premier League defeats and started the match on a positive note. However, their well-known struggles in front of goal persisted as they squandered chance after chance.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 7, 2024
Despite Martin Odegaard’s shot hitting the crossbar and Reiss Nelson and Kai Havertz also failing to convert their chances, Liverpool managed to keep the score level at halftime. The visitors themselves came close to scoring when Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the woodwork.
The second half saw both teams continue to struggle in front of goal, resulting in a more evenly contested match. Bukayo Saka was unable to capitalize on Havertz’s cross, while Darwin Nunez’s pass let down Luis Diaz as Liverpool threatened on counterattacks.
The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when Jakub Kiwior inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, giving Liverpool the lead. In injury time (90+5), Diaz sealed Arsenal’s fate with a late strike, securing their elimination from both the FA Cup and marking their third consecutive defeat across all competitions.
Overall, Arsenal’s inability to convert chances proved costly as they failed to secure a much-needed victory at home against Liverpool.
Arteta is facing mounting pressure as Arsenal’s performance in front of goal continues to struggle, with only one win in their last seven matches across all competitions. On the other hand, Liverpool remains optimistic about their chances of success this season, as they are still competing in four different tournaments. They can anticipate the fourth-round draw taking place on Monday.
