(Football news) The second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium saw Jurgen Klopp’s team secure a 2-0 victory to book a place at Wembley where they will face Chelsea on Sunday, February 27th in the finals. Mikel Arteta selected Takehiro Tomisayu and Emile Smith Rowe in the starting XI while Thomas Partey was on the bench after his return from the African Cup of Nations. Liverpool started with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and Kaiden Gordan with the rest of the team composed of first team regulars.

The Gunners started the match on the bright side as Alexandre Lacazette hit the crossbar from an early free-kick but Liverpool retaliated with Joel Matip by poking home from Fabinho’s header but was ruled offside. The opportunity unsettled the Gunners and eventually led to Diogo Jota taking advantage of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass, cutting inside Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White and scuffed a finish past Aaron Ramsdale in the 19th minute. 

Lacazette had Arsenal’s best chance after the break but the Frenchman failed to hit the target after being clean through on goal. Liverpool doubled their advantage 13 minutes from time through Diogo Jota again from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assist as the 25 year old Portuguese forward’s precise lofted finish over Ramsdale went into the back of the net. The goal was initially ruled out for off-side but VAR overturned the decision, much to Liverpool fans’ delight.

Diogo Jota has proved to be a fitting addition to the Liverpool squad after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in a £45m deal before the start of last season. With the first leg being a goalless draw against a 10 man Arsenal and the absence of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane due to the African Cup of Nations, Jota has compensated for their absences by performing when called upon. He has scored 27 goals in 57 games for Liverpool, 14 in all competitions this season.

Speaking after the match, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said "We're over the moon. It's a difficult game, a difficult time generally, we just have to get through it. We try everything we can, and what the boys did tonight against a really strong Arsenal side was really exceptional.

"We scored two wonderful goals, Jota was on fire, but the passes too. I don't think a lot of people in the stadium saw Diogo in that position for the second goal, but Trent did, which was helpful and he finished it off – absolutely outstanding. We were completely convinced when he arrived he'd help us massively. There's so many things before you sign a player, nowadays you can watch 100 games, we were really confident but since he's been here he's made another step. He's turned into a world-class striker, and that's really helpful for us."

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta said "We're really disappointed not to be in the final – but we played against a top side. We had big moments in the first half, and the second half. When you have those, you have to score.

"The first time they went through our press with a bit of luck they scored. With one pass, they are in front of goal, and when they are there they put the game to bed. We had good moments, we had good situations – but we have to score in those situations. We have to score goals to go through, and we're out."

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