In the absence of Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota scored two goals to help Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 and face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

While Liverpool should deal with Salah staying in Egypt and Sadio Mane’s Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, Thomas Partey’s swift return after Ghana’s early exit backfired for Arsenal.

Partey came on in the 74th minute – just before Jota’s second goal – but was then booked in the 86th minute for a late challenge on Neko Williams and again against Fabinho in the 90th minute Do a sprint. The midfielder, who was sacked hours after landing from Cameroon, will now be suspended for Sunday’s Premier League game against Burnley.

After the first leg at Anfield last week, the semi-finals were locked at 0-0 until Jota scored through two defenders and past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on the 19th hole. Jota hit Ramsdale in the second half, a goal initially ruled out until VAR ruled out offside.

The Portuguese striker has now made 27 appearances for Liverpool this season, scoring 14 goals – more than the 13 in his first season after joining from Wolverhampton in 2020.

“Diogo Jota is on fire,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.

“When he arrived at the club we were sure he would help us a lot.

“Since he came here, he has taken another step and he has become a real world-class striker. The atmosphere in the dressing room is simply fantastic. The boys are outstanding.”

Liverpool, who won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020, have now reached the domestic final on February 27 since being denied the League Cup by Manchester City in 2016.

Liverpool, like Chelsea, are still in the Champions League and FA Cup. It’s just that the Premier League title is increasingly out of sight, with second-placed Liverpool 11 points behind Manchester City and Chelsea one point behind.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times