It’s been a terrific weekend of 3rd round action, and Chelsea are now favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in May. Click here for FA Cup Outright!

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has apologised to supporters after watching his side taken apart by a young Arsenal team.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 6-3 home defeat in Tuesday’s Carling Cup quarter-final tie, Benitez said: “It is a bad night for us and all we can say is sorry to the supporters.

“Now is not the time to point the finger or look to blame people. We win together and we lose together.

“We must forget about it as soon as possible and look ahead to Watford on Saturday and the Champions League.”

The result came just three days after Arsenal knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup at Anfield and Benitez’s side were booed off by their own supporters at the end of the game.

“The problem was conceding four goals in the first half,” Benitez added.

“When you are faced with a scoreline like that it is very difficult to manage the game.

“We needed an early goal in the second half but couldn’t find it. When we did score Arsenal had the quality to keep the ball and make it difficult for us.”

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was delighted by the performance of his side and suggested the display pointed to a bright future for his club.

“These lads have worked very hard to integrate and to do what we want them to do,” said Wenger.

“They have shown great mental strength and I am highly tempted to play many of them in the semi-final against Spurs.

“They have earned the right maybe to play in the next round. It is a very satisfying night.

“I feel there is a continuity inside the club, and we feel we have worked very, very hard.

“The future of the club is very promising. We aim to keep these players together and keep the spirit right. Then we have a great chance for the future.”

It’s been a terrific weekend of 3rd round action, and Chelsea are now favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in May. Click here for FA Cup Outright!