By Josh James at Anfield
WHAT HAPPENED
We exited the Carabao Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat on a night of thrills and spills and non-stop action at Anfield.
Dani Ceballos saw his effort saved in the shoot-out, while Liverpool struck five perfect penalties, but it was a cruel way to end an incredible game – especially as we had led three times, conceding the final equaliser in injury time.
It had started badly, with Shkodran Mustafi diverting the ball into his own net, but just like he did here earlier in the season, Lucas Torreira found the net to equalise, and the goals kept flowing all evening.
Our first was the simplest of finishes for the Uruguayan, who slotted in from close range, before Gabriel Martinelli put us ahead with another close-range finish.
Martinelli's seventh goal in Arsenal colours - in just his seventh appearance – followed soon afterwards. Ozil hunted the ball down as Liverpool passed the ball out from the back, released Saka and his low cross was slammed home by the unmarked Brazilian in front of goal.
Liverpool hit back before the break from the penalty spot - James Milner keeping his cool after the referee deemed a trip by Martinelli on Harvey Elliott.
We restored the two-goal cushion after the break following good work from Ainsley Maitland-Niles and the lively Mesut Ozil. Maitland-Niles seized on a short Milner backpass, Ozil kept the ball in play at the far post and the English midfielder tucked home on the line.
The goals kept coming. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain smashed home from 25 yards to make it 4-3, and the Anfield crowd sensed blood – there was still half an hour to play.
Divock Origi turned Holding on the edge of the box to smash home the equaliser, but next it was Joe Willock's turn to score from long distance.
The game continued at breakneck pace, switching from end to end like a basketball game, and just when it looked as though we had booked our place in the last eight, Origi scored in injury-time to take it to penalties.
Penalties
Bellerin scores 1-0
Milner scores 1-1
Guendouzi scores 2-1
Lallana scores 2-2
Martinelli scores 3-2
Brewster scores 3-3
Ceballos saved 3-3
Origi scores 3-4
Maitland-Niles scores 4-4
Jones scores 4-5
HOW IT HAPPENED
Click here for a play-by-play run-through of our action-packed Carabao Cup fourth-round match.
TEAM NEWS
As usual, Unai Emery rung the changes for the Carabao Cup, noticeably with Mesut Ozil returning to the side for the first time since the previous round in September. In fact not one player retained their place from Sunday's draw with Crystal Palace.
Gabriel Martinelli, the two-goal hero from the third round win over Nottingham Forest, was also named up front, with Bukayo Saka restored on the left flank.
In the absence of Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hector Bellerin took the armband, with Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac also in defence.
Liverpool also made 11 changes, and included former Gunner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
WHAT IT MEANS
Our Carabao Cup campaign is over for another season, and our focus is now on the Premier League and Europa League until the FA Cup starts in the New Year.
WHAT'S NEXT
It's back to Emirates Stadium, and back to the Premier League, this weekend for a rare 3pm Saturday kick-off against Wolves, who are currently 12th in the table, four points worse off than us.
Nuno Espirito Santo's team earned a 1-1 draw in this fixture last season, and are currently on a five-game unbeaten run in the league.
THREE THINGS WE NOTICED
To follow
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