The EFL Cup is back in action with another semi-final fixture this week as Arsenal lock horns with Liverpool on Thursday. Both teams are missing several key players at the moment and have a point to prove in this fixture.Liverpool are in second place in the Premier League standings and have fallen behind Manchester City in the title race. The Merseyside giants are one of the favourites to win the EFL Cup and will be confident ahead of this match.Arsenal, on the other hand, are in fifth place in the league table at the moment and have exceeded expectations this season. The Gunners had their game against Tottenham Hotspur rescheduled and will want to step up this week.Arsenal@ArsenalHappy birthday, Johan 🥳Sending our best wishes to @JohanDjourou on his 35th birthday! 5:52 AM · Jan 18, 20226206355Happy birthday, Johan 🥳Sending our best wishes to @JohanDjourou on his 35th birthday! 🎁 https://t.co/LJEWzczPpqArsenal vs Liverpool Head-to-HeadLiverpool have a slight edge over Arsenal and have won 92 out of 235 matches played between the two teams. Arsenal have managed 82 victories against Liverpool and will want to cut the deficit in this fixture.The previous meeting between the two teams took place in the first leg last week and ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Arsenal held Liverpool at bay on the day and will want to take it up a notch this week.Arsenal form guide: D-L-L-W-WLiverpool form guide: W-D-W-D-LArsenal vs Liverpool Team NewsArsenal need to win this gameArsenalThomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, and Nicolas Pepe are on international duty and will be unavailable for selection. Granit Xhaka was sent off in the first leg and is suspended for this match.Injured: Sead Kolasinac, Cedric SoaresDoubtful: Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith RoweSuspended: Granit XhakaUnavailable: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Nicolas PepeLiverpool have a depleted squadLiverpoolLiverpool will have to do without Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita this week. Thiago Alcantara and Divock Origi are injured and have also been ruled out of this fixture.Injured: Thiago Alcantara, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Phillips, Harvey ElliottDoubtful: Alex Oxlade ChamberlainSuspended: NoneUnavailable: Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Naby KeitaArsenal vs Liverpool Predicted XIArsenal Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aaron Ramsdale; Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers; Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli; Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie NketiahLiverpool FC@LFCNext up, our Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash 8:46 AM · Jan 18, 20224752401Next up, our Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash 👊 https://t.co/yh1pvd699PLiverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones; Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo JotaArsenal vs Liverpool PredictionLiverpool have an important run of fixtures in the coming weeks and will need to make the most of their impressive squad. The likes of Minamino and Jota have stepped up in Mohamed Salah's absence and will need to make their mark this week.Arsenal also have several squad issues to resolve and could field Ben White in their midfield this week. Liverpool are in better shape at the moment and hold the upper hand going into this match.Prediction: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool