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Jota's brace vs. Arsenal sends Liverpool to League Cup final

Marc Atkins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Liverpool will face Chelsea in the League Cup final on Feb. 27 after beating Arsenal 2-0 in Thursday's semifinal second leg at Emirates Stadium.

Diogo Jota scored the only goals of the tie with a dribbler that eluded goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the 19th minute and a well-weighted chip over Arsenal's No. 1 in the 77th.

Arsenal's bad night ended with a red card to midfielder Thomas Partey for a pair of yellow-card offenses in quick succession late in the second half, marking the 14th time a Gunner has been sent off since Mikel Arteta became manager in December 2019.

Arteta's side was strongest early, with Alexandre Lacazette firing a free-kick against the crossbar just five minutes into the fixture.

Liverpool's Joel Matip turned in a shot from close range shortly thereafter, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Liverpool slowly wrested control from the hosts and found the breakthrough when Jota's scruffy effort somehow wrong-footed Ramsdale.

Jurgen Klopp's side nearly doubled its advantage in the 51st minute when 17-year-old attacker Kaide Gordon skied an attempt from point-blank range in just his fourth senior appearance.

But Jota put the tie beyond doubt after the video assistant referee confirmed he was onside on the run that led to his insurance marker.

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