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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool warned by Martin Atkinson as X-rated outburst greets Arsenal defeat in Carabao Cup

Liverpool secured their place in the Carabao Cup final with an impressive victory at Arsenal on Thursday night.

Diogo Jota scored twice as the Reds earned a 2-0 second-leg triumph in London to progress after a goalless game at Anfield the previous week.

The result means Jurgen Klopp’s side will now face Chelsea in the final on February 27 as they aim for a record ninth League Cup triumph.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Emirates.

Gunners' four-letter fury

Fair to say Arsenal fans weren't too happy at what their team offered up against Liverpool.

Indeed, they were pretty keen that their voice was heard as they filed past the press box on the way to an early exit after Jota had notched his second with 11 minutes remaining.

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"Do you know how to spell 'a load of s**t?'" came the enquiry from one irate Gooner as he leaned over to air his grievance to the gathered hacks.

Suffice to say the journalists had to look up the correct usage. We wouldn't know how to swear, honest.

Pyro party-pooped

There was plenty for Liverpool supporters to enjoy as their team won through to a 13th League Cup final.

But those in the away end were guilty of premature celebration early in the piece.

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While Joel Matip knew instantly he was in an offside position when turning in Fabinho's header, at least one Reds fan at the opposite end of the Emirates was less convinced and lit a red flare to mark what they thought was the opening goal.

Thankfully, the away end had come prepared with a few more when Jota did the business later in the first half.

Atkinson the agitated

In fact, Liverpool supporters were able to twice celebrate Jota's second, match-clinching strike.

The initial joy was instantly subdued when the flag of the assistant referee was spotted in the air, only for VAR to correctly overturn the decision and allow the goal to stand.

Cue almost every Liverpool player racing over to the far corner of the Emirates to enjoy the moment with the 5,200-strong away end.

Referee Martin Atkinson, though, had soon seen quite enough and forcibly motioned to Klopp's men to get back into their own half and get on with the game. Spoilsport.

Stewards 1 Pitch invaders 0

As previously intimated, it wasn't such a memorable evening for Arsenal fans who, despite more than 59,000 tickets sold, didn't all bother or simply couldn't turn up for the hastily-rearranged encounter, evidenced by the huge gaps in the top tier around the Emirates.

And at least two further seats were vacated before the final whistle when a pair of supporters raced on to the field shortly after Liverpool had gone 2-0 up.

It might have seemed a good idea by them at the time. But the no-nonsense manner in which the stewards dealt with their unwise encroachment suggests they may have been a bit sore the following morning.

Mikel Arteta would surely have wanted his players to defend with such tenacity on the night.

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