Harvey Elliott is poised to become Anfield’s youngest-ever player tonight, as a heavily rotated Liverpool take on Arsenal in the League Cup fourth round.
Elliott Set to Break Anfield Record
In the last round Elliott became the youngest player ever to start a competitive game for the Reds aged 16 years, 174 days and the second-youngest ever to play for the club after Jerome Sinclair who was 16 years and six days when he came off the bench in this competition at West Brom in 2012.
Should Elliott appear tonight he will be the youngest player to appear for Liverpool at Anfield (16 years 209 days).
Elliott at MK Dons last month was one of five players given their debut by Jurgen Klopp—the others being Caoimhin Kelleher, Rhian Brewster, Herbie Kane and Sepp van den Berg.
In 14 League Cup games under Klopp, Liverpool have used 53 players.
Red Dominance
Liverpool are unbeaten against the Gunners in the last seven home games in league and cup—each of those games has produced at least four goals with a total of 34.
Arsenal last departed Anfield with a victory in September 2012 with Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scoring in a 2-0 league win.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started the game for the Gunners.
They have not defeated Liverpool in the last nine meetings home and away in league and cup since a 4-1 Emirates victory in April 2015.
Only Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and goalkeeper Matt Macey remain on Arsenal playing staff from the squad that day. Bellerin and Ozil were among the scorers in the win.
Liverpool & Arsenal’s League Cup History
Each team has won five of the previous 14 League Cup meetings, which includes Arsenal winning the final in 1987 and Liverpool prevailing in a two-legged semi-final in 1977/78.
At Anfield there have been six encounters with the Reds prevailing four times and suffering defeat on one occasion. The other clash was drawn.
Liverpool have lost the last two meetings in this competition: 2007 and 2009.
Arsenal won the last League Cup meeting between the clubs almost 10 years to the day when goals from Fran Merida and Nicklas Bendtner secured a 2-1 win at the Emirates.
Emiliano Insua, with his only goal for the Reds, had equalised.
The Gunners have faced Liverpool three times in the League Cup during the month of October and won all three, though they were at home in all of those ties.
Fortress Anfield
Liverpool have lost two of the last 62 Anfield fixtures—both coming in domestic cups—to West Brom (FA Cup) and Chelsea (League Cup)—both in 2018.
They have won each of the last 14 home games in all matches since the goalless draw with Bayern Munich back in February.
Cup Specialist
Unai Emery celebrates his 48th birthday this coming Sunday.
He has won one of four previous meetings with Liverpool as a manager—the 2016 Europa League Final while with Sevilla. His teams have conceded 10 goals in those clashes.
He has excelled in cup competitions having won three Europa Leagues, two French Cups and French League Cups as well as the French Super Cup twice.
This Season’s Scorers
Liverpool: Mane 9, Salah 8, Firmino 3, Matip 2, Milner 2, Oxlade-Chamberlain 2, own goals 2, Alexander-Arnold 1, Henderson 1, Hoever 1, Lallana 1, Origi 1, Robertson 1, Van Dijk 1, Wijnaldum 1
Arsenal: Aubameyang 8, Martinelli 5, Pepe 3, Willock 3, Lacazette 2, Luiz 2, Ceballos 1, Chambers 1, Holding 1, Nelson 1, Sokratis 1, Saka 1, Torreira 1
* Stats courtesy of LFC statistician Ged Rea (@ged0407).
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