The Carabao Cup is dead, is it?
Try telling that to this Liverpool side, this mix of youngsters and squad players who somehow managed to produce one of the most remarkable cup ties in memory.
Try telling Curtis Jones, the home-grown hero whose nerveless penalty sent Jurgen Klopp’s side through to the quarter-finals, after a breathless night under the Anfield lights.
Try telling Caoimhin Kelleher, whose save from Dani Ceballos earlier in the shootout was enough to tilt the tie in the Reds’ favour once and for all.
Arsenal will wonder how on earth they are heading back to London with nothing, having led comfortably at more than one stage. Unai Emery’s side squandered leads of 3-1, 4-2 and 5-4, but were taken to a shootout by Divock Origi’s stoppage-time equaliser as a pulsating 90 minutes ended at 5-5. They then lost 5-4 on penalties.
“When two teams want to attack and have fun,” tweeted Robin van Persie, the former Arsenal striker as the goals flowed. He was spot on. Anfield is usually a tense place, so precious are Premier League or Champions League wins. This was different. This was...fun.
These were two much-changed teams, and two teams for whom defence was barely even an afterthought, but what entertainment they delivered. If there’s a madder game this season, it’ll be worth watching.
What courage this young Liverpool side showed. They were dead and buried, once, twice, three times, naive defensively and feeling the intensity against a Gunners side which could boast far more top-level experience, top to bottom. It was set to be a chastening night, one to be filed as 'a learning experience'.
But something has happened at this club, something which makes accepting defeat an absolute no-no. You never give up if you wear red. The first team don’t do it, so why would the second-string and the kids?
“Our identity is intensity,” said assistant manager Pep Lijnders on Tuesday. His players got the message.
GOAL
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