If Granit Xhaka getting sent off came as no real surprise, Arsenal holding out with 10 men at Anfield was something of a shock.

Liverpool failed to take advantage of Xhaka’s 24th-minute red card for a chest-high lunge on Diogo Jota and was held to a 0-0 draw by Arsenal in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Thursday.

With star forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane at the African Cup of Nations, Liverpool lacked a cutting edge up front against an already-depleted Arsenal team that lost two more players — Cedric Soares and Bukayo Saka — to injury during the game.

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka leaves the pitch after being sent off during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka leaves the pitch after being sent off during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was looking for a reaction after a humbling loss to second-tier Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday and he got it with some obdurate defending, with center backs Ben White and Gabriel particularly impressive.

Their job was made much tougher by Xhaka, the hot-headed Switzerland midfielder who has now collected five red cards since joining Arsenal in 2016. No other Premier League player has so many in that period.

Xhaka was chasing back after Jota, who was attempting to run onto a long ball by Andrew Robertson, when he stuck out his left leg and smashed it into the chest of the Portugal international. Jota would have been through on goal and the referee went straight to his back pocket to show the red card.

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka sees the red card after a foul during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka sees the red card after a foul during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

It was Xhaka’s second red card of the season — the other was in a 5-0 loss at Manchester City in the Premier League when Arsenal’s defense proceeded to fold. Not this time.

Liverpool barely called Arsenal into action until the final frantic minutes that saw the home side launch a wave of attacks.

Takumi Minamino wasted the biggest chance for Liverpool, slicing his shot over the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after Ramsdale flapped at a cross from the right.

Arsenal's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale shouts during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

Arsenal's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale shouts during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

The second leg is at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium next week and the winner will play Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium next month.

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Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, right, challenges for the ball with Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)

Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli, right, challenges for the ball with Liverpool's Curtis Jones during the EFL Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, Thursday, Jan.13, 2022.(AP PhotoJon Super)