EFL CUP: Nelson's early winner keeps the Bees away, L'pool come from behind again

Liverpool and Arsenal have reached the EFL Cup fourth round after celebrating deserved victories on Wednesday night against Leicester City and Brentford, respectively. The Reds once again felt comfortable in coming from behind to win 3-1 against the former EPL champion at Anfield, while the Gunners took no hostages against Thomas Frank's side.

Arsenal clinched a 1-0 victory thanks to their first actual attack of the evening. Brentford's Zanka played a shocker of a ball back towards goal from the right-hand side, which Eddie Nketiah squared across the box to Reiss Nelson. He left the keeper with no chances to save it whatsoever, placing it smoothly into the bottom right.

With over 70% of possession, Arsenal controlled the game in the first half, passing the ball around freely. At times, it seemed like they were playing an exhibition match. The Bees were struggling both offensively and defensively, with Smith-Rowe and Havertz coming close to double the lead.

However, Christian Norgaard created a perfect opportunity for Yoane Wissa on the other end, but the first and the most promising chance for the Bees finished just a tad bit off the target.

Nketiah and Wissa exchanged two shots each after the break, but it stayed 0-1, although Arsenal needed impeccable Ramsdale too, and the bar, to survive Wissa's splendid effort.

Last but not least, the tragic hero Zanka was ready to make amends for that early mistake and even scored an equaliser with 12 minutes left on the clock, but the linesman's flag denied him.

Back at Anfield, Liverpool did what Liverpool does.

At least, in the last few weeks. They 'let' you come in front, as the Foxes did through youngster McAteer, and then slam you in the second half. Gakpo brought the stalemate back shortly after the interval, but it was Szoboszlai's stunner in the 70th minute that killed the Foxes instantly.

The spectacular goal crushed all the hopes of the second-tier slot, with Diogo Jota's late beauty making it look as if it was too easy for Jurgen Klopp's team to reach the fourth round. And it was anything like that, but the scoreboard is the only credible source for that sort of debate.