Carabao Cup 2019-20: 5 memorable games between Liverpool and Arsenal

Premier League leaders Liverpool are set to welcome Unai Emery's Arsenal for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. Going into the game, there will be an arguably clear favourite, but Arsenal have been known to spring a surprise or two in these big games. The last time these two sides met, Liverpool emerged winners. The Reds comfortably triumphed over the Gunners, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Salah. Liverpool's Cameroonian centre-back Joel Matip opened the scoring for the Reds in that game. 

Liverpool vs Arsenal has always been an exciting fixture to watch. The form that the two carry into the game seems to hold little weight when the first whistle blows. As Arsenal gear up to visit Anfield once again, here is a look at five of the most memorable games played between the two. 

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Liverpool 4 - Arsenal 4, 2009

Who knew that this would be the fixture that Andrey Arshavin would use to announce his arrival for the Gunners? The former Zenit St. Petersburg star scored the only goal in the first half of the game, putting Arsenal ahead before half-time. Two strikes from Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres meant that Liverpool were ahead by a goal in the second half. Andrey Arshavin then scored two more to put Arsenal ahead. Two minutes after Arshavin's hat-trick, Torres grabbed an equaliser for the Reds. In the dying minutes of the game, with Liverpool managing to scrape by a draw, Arshavin netted his fourth of the night. Benayoun, however, struck a late equaliser for the Reds, as the two sides shared the points. 

Liverpool 5 - Arsenal 1, 2014

With Luis Suarez enduring a quiet spell by his lofty standards and Arsenal sitting on top of the table, the Gunners were the favourites to emerge victorious in this game. However, the 'favourites' tag stood for just 10 minutes, as Martin Skrtel scored two goals in the opening ten minutes of the game to put Liverpool up. Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling also chipped in for the hosts, as they took a 4-0 lead into half-time. Sterling then added a fifth goal for the Reds, before Mikel Arteta pulled one back for the visitors via a penalty. 

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Liverpool 4 - Arsenal 2, 2008

2008 was Fernando Torres' year. The Spanish striker was on blistering form for the Reds, showcasing his array of finishing skills in the Premier League. This time, the former Atletico Madrid striker chose the Champions League as his stage. Abou Diaby and Sami Hyypia scored to make it 1-1 at the break. But Torres' majestic effort saw Liverpool take the lead in the second-half. Emmanuel Adebayor pulled an equaliser out of his hat to put Arsenal level. But club legend Steven Gerrard restored the hosts' lead before Ryan Babel capped off a dominating display for the Reds.  

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Liverpool 4 - Arsenal 0, 2017

The third game of the 2017-18 season saw Liverpool play hosts to Arsenal at Anfield. This was one of the earliest displays of the Reds' current attacking triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah. Firmino opened the scoring for the hosts before Sadio Mane got a goal for himself after penetrating through the Arsenal defence. Salah then scored a brilliant solo goal, taking the ball all the way from the half-line to finish a blistering counterattack for the Reds. Daniel Sturridge then netted Liverpool's fourth of the night to register a convincing win for Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. 

Liverpool 3 - Arsenal 3, 2016

Jurgen Klopp arrived at Anfield after much fanfare. Having declared himself as "The Normal One" in his official unveiling, much was expected of the charismatic German as he took the reins at Anfield. His first game against the Gunners ended in a 3-3 draw. A brace from Roberto Firmino and a late goal from Joe Allen meant that Liverpool were spared the blushes in Jurgen Klopp's first meeting with Arsenal as manager of the Reds. 

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