A rictus of a grin contorted Trent Alexander-Arnold’s face. Before half time, the influential Liverpool star had struck the bar with a venomous strike after waves of Arsenal pressure at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup.

Liverpool rode their luck and Jurgen Klopp probably inwardly tipped his cap to the hosts’ profligacy, but this group of players, resilient and tenacious and together, held firm to turn the tide in the closing stages and advance to the fourth round with a 2-0 win.

Luis Diaz, under fire of late for a dip in performance, has made improvements over recent games and will be delighted with his stunning strike at the death to confirm Arsenal’s demise, assisted by the Gunners’ personal scourge in Diogo Jota.

Prior, Alexander-Arnold – donning the captain’s armband with Virgil van Dijk ill – had whipped in a fierce free-kick that was fortuitously turned in by Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior.

It was a hard-fought and noteworthy victory. However, not all caught the eye, with Cody Gakpo unable to spark the game into life and withdrawn before the hour mark.

Cody Gakpo’s performance in numbers vs Arsenal

Writing in his post-match ratings, 90min’s Grey Whitebloom was not impressed by the Dutchman’s endeavours and handed him an ignominious 2/10 score, writing: ‘Utterly ineffective throughout a painfully forgettable 59 minutes on the pitch.’

Harsh? Probably. But it’s true that Gakpo was not influencing proceedings as he might have hoped despite an adroit pivot to beat his man and instigate the phase that led to Alexander-Arnold’s bar-rattling strike.

The 24-year-old, who has been hailed for his “special skill set” by Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders, has scored eight goals this season but remains a conflicting figure, enduring several lacklustre games.

Against Arsenal, as per Sofascore, Gakpo was indeed ineffective as he sort of played in flux from the No. 8 role and out on the right wing, withdrawn after 59 minutes having taken just 20 touches, which is even fewer than Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who enjoyed a largely impressive night between the sticks but took the fewest touches (32) of any starting player, bar Gakpo.

While he completed 88% of his passes and made one key pass, his impactful moments were few and far between and Klopp will surely be considering whether to drop him for the forthcoming Carabao Cup tie against Fulham, with Jota impressive off the bench once again.

Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom for Gakpo, who scored an important late goal against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day during Liverpool’s emphatic Premier League victory over Newcastle United.

Moreover, he has actually scored in all three of his side’s Carabao Cup fixtures thus far and will be desperate to pardon his poor display in London with a confident performance over the Cottagers.

The £120k-per-week Gakpo remains an important member of Klopp’s squad and his versatility has impeded him in instances, but there is no denying that a trail of lacklustre displays litter the road of Liverpool’s campaign.

With Jota in fine form and Luis Diaz returning to his best, perhaps Gakpo should sit the next one out, and if his manager does decide to hand him a starting berth once again, he surely needs to play as centre-forward.

Liverpool predicted lineup vs Fulham – Carabao Cup

• Liverpool host Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday
• Reds are currently without Mohamed Salah and Wataru Endo
• Virgil van Dijk expected to recover in time from illness

By James Cormack | 4:25 PM GMT

Jurgen Klopp oversaw a victory at the Emirates on Sunday / Julian Finney/GettyImages

 

Liverpool take on Fulham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night as they aim to all but secure their place at Wembley before visiting Craven Cottage.

The Reds are one-time winners of this competition under Jurgen Klopp, lifting the trophy in 2022, and they have a great chance of going all the way again this season in what could be an incredibly prosperous season for the Merseysiders.

Liverpool have lost just once in domestic competitions this term and life without Mohamed Salah started with a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

Here’s how the Reds could line up against Fulham on Wednesday night.

• Liverpool vs Fulham – Carabao Cup: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction

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Liverpool predicted lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3)

Liverpool downed Arsenal in the FA Cup on Sunday / Julian Finney/GettyImages

GK: Caoimhín Kelleher – While Alisson started in the FA Cup on Sunday, Kelleher has so far been used as Liverpool’s Carabao Cup shot-stopper.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – In the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Salah at Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold eventually took control of the cup tie and produced a stellar performance with the armband.

CB: Ibrahima Konate – The Great Wall of Konate denied Arsenal yet again at the weekend. The Frenchman will be crucial for Liverpool’s title chances and has to stay fit.

CB: Virgil van Dijk – The imperious Dutchman missed Sunday’s win through illness but Van Dijk is expected to be fine to play on Wednesday.

LB: Joe Gomez – Gomez has so far impressed at left-back since Kostas Tsimikas succumbed to a shoulder injury before Christmas.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch – Klopp could shuffle his midfield pack on Wednesday with Gravenberch coming back into the XI.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister – The Argentine is fully fit once more and will enjoy a long run at the base of midfield with Wataru Endo at the Asian Cup.

CM: Harvey Elliott – Elliott started down the right at the Emirates but proved more effective after shifting into midfield for the second half. Curtis Jones earns a rest.

RW: Luis Diaz – Klopp’s half-time changes against Arsenal set the stage for Liverpool’s eventual victory and thus Diaz, who switched flanks, could continue down the right in midweek.

ST: Cody Gakpo – Gakpo’s versatility was highlighted at the weekend but the Dutchman is more likely to play a withdrawn forward role against Fulham’s aggressive centre-backs than a midfield function.

LW: Diogo Jota – Starts have been few and far between for Jota since he returned from injury in December but he could get the nod for this cup tie.