Red side of EFL Cup: Liverpool against their bully, Arsenal still on crutches

Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa revealed that “no one was speaking” inside the Reds’ dressing room following Saturday’s bruising loss to Brentford — a silence that spoke louder than any words could. Still, the Italian insists the team will find their rhythm again soon.

Arne Slot’s side are enduring a torrid spell, losing five of their last six matches in all competitions. Yet they’ll look to spark a turnaround tonight when they host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup — a team that has already beaten them twice this season, including in the Community Shield.

Chiesa explained: “No one was speaking. Because afterwards everyone knows. Sometimes you don't have to speak about the situation. You know what's going on. So no one spoke because I think we have to think about what we can do better.” After joining from Juventus for 10 million pounds, the Euro 2020 standout featured for just 104 minutes in the Premier League last season, but this year he’s carved out an important impact from the bench.

With Liverpool now teetering in full-blown crisis — if they weren’t there already — another setback against Palace could see them lose yet another chance at silverware. Slot’s struggling squad have been leaking goals, keeping only two clean sheets in their last 14 outings. Jamie Carragher recently branded it a “disastrous season,” pointing to the defensive instability as a major concern.

Liverpool are now looking like Manchester United

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have made Wembley something of a second home recently — winning both the FA Cup and Community Shield — but the EFL Cup remains elusive. In their 120-year history, the competition has yet to bear fruit for the Eagles. In fact, they’ve only progressed beyond the fourth round once in the last six years, reaching last season’s quarter-finals before being eliminated by Arsenal — the same side that deepened their woes last weekend.

On the other side, Arsenal will be without William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Tuesday.

The French defender was taken off at half-time during Sunday’s narrow 1–0 victory over Crystal Palace, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera, while Martinelli picked up a problem after the final whistle and left the pitch limping.

There is, however, some good news for the Gunners. Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, who both picked up knocks in the same game, have been passed fit to play, and Bukayo Saka, who missed the second half due to illness, is back in contention.

“He (Saliba) is out (v Brighton). We are assessing him but he won't be involved in this match,” Arteta told reporters, offering no indication yet of when the 24-year-old might return.

On Martinelli’s status, the Arsenal boss added: “It looks as though he's going to be out. We have to do some more tests to see the extent of the injury, but this game will be too early for him.”

Despite the absences, Arsenal remain well-stocked across all positions. Sitting at the top of the Premier League table with 22 points from nine matches, Arteta’s men will aim to maintain their momentum and extend their fine early-season form.

Campbell rates Arsenal title chances, claims Slot is lucky

Aiming to add another piece of silverware, the North London side — twice winners of the League Cup, last lifting it in 1993 — welcome a Brighton team currently 13th in the league, hoping to take another step toward ending their long wait for success in this competition.

ENGLAND LEAGUE CUP ROUND 4

Tuesday

Grimsby - Brentford 0-5 (0-3)

/Jensen 22, Lewis-Potter 26, Nelson 43, Carvalho 54 pen, Collins 75/

Wycombe - Fulham 1-1 (4-5 after penalties)

/Woodrow 4 - King 48/

Wrexham - Cardiff 1-2 (0-1)

/Moore 52 - Salech 13, Fish 71/

Wednesday

22.45: (1.42) Arsenal (5.00) Brighton (7.00)

22.45: (1.62) Liverpool (4.35) Crystal Palace (4.90)

22.45: (13.0) Swansea (7.00) Man.City (1.20)

22.45: (4.60) Wolverhampton (4.05) Chelsea (1.70)

23.00: (1.70) Newcastle (3.60) Tottenham (5.30)

***odds are subject to change***