Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Final four teams set to discover semi-final fate

21 Dec 2023

Pochettino praises Chelsea's come-from-behind victory against Sheffield following a succession of losses.

Get Miguel Delaney's Reading The Game Newsletter For Free, Delivered To Your Inbox

"Join Miguel Delaney's Weekly Newsletter For Free"

The Carabao Cup semi-finals will feature Liverpool going against Fulham, and Middlesbrough will be facing Chelsea.

Liverpool, the team that emerged victorious against Chelsea in the League Cup of 2022, completely dominated West Ham in a resounding 5-1 triumph at Anfield. The Carabao Cup is within the grasp of Jurgen Klopp's team as they strive to make history by winning it for the 10th time and are considered the front-runners to do so.

Fulham has made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup for the first time ever but has yet to win a significant domestic prize. They had a victory over Everton on penalties under the guidance of coach Marco Silva. Fulham's first significant final since coming second in the 2009 Uefa Cup could be at Wembley if they win.

Middlesbrough, the only squad that is not part of the Premier League that made it to the final four, emerged as champions of the League Cup back in 2004. This is also the last time they managed to snag a major victory. Michael Carrick, the team leader, led them to a triumph against Port Vale during the quarter-finals. At present, their standing in the Championship table is 13th.

In the upcoming match, Tottenham will face off against Chelsea, who surprised Newcastle United - the runners-up from the previous season - in their last game at Stamford Bridge. Mykhailo Mudryk managed to save the Blues with a goal right before the end, and they went on to win via penalties, 4-2. This season in the Premier League has been a bit difficult for Mauricio Pochettino's team, but the young Chelsea players might just find their momentum in the Carabao Cup match.

The Carabao Cup semi-finals will occur in two games on January 9/10 and January 16/17. Check out our live blog for the current happenings in the Carabao Cup and to discover which teams will compete against each other in the semi-finals.

Carabao Cup Semi-final Draw: Liverpool And Chelsea Kept Apart

The first leg of the game between Liverpool and Fulham will take place at Anfield, and then the teams will switch places for the second leg at Craven Cottage. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough is set to play Chelsea, starting with a home game before heading to Stamford Bridge. Liverpool managed to beat Fulham 4-3 in a highly anticipated Premier League match that took place last month. It was definitely one of the most exciting games we've seen so far this season.

Since Swansea City's unexpected win in 2013, the Carabao Cup has only been won by four teams: Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. Fulham and Middlesbrough now aim to put a stop to this winning streak.

Jamie Braidwood posted a blog on December 20th, 2023 at 10:45 PM.

"Klopp Thrilled With Team's Performance"

The overall display, the numerical record, the outcome, and the distinct showings contribute to creating a collective unit during the game.

We showed courage in how we positioned ourselves, and our performance in the second half of the game was outstanding. Overall, we did exceptionally well from beginning to end.

It's a difficult time for everyone, as there are numerous games and the players have already participated in a significant amount of football. Both teams needed to win the match, and this will be the case on Saturday and all other occasions. Things are what they are, so it's great to have something positive to focus on.

"The lads had a great time, putting in a lot of effort but also mixing in some cheerful moments of soccer. It was pleasant to witness."

On December 20th, 2023 at 10:36 PM, Mike Jones wrote the following in his blog:

Full Carabao Cup Semi-final Draw

The initial matches for the competition will occur during the week that starts on January 8th.

Carabao Cup Semis Draw

Jamie Redknapp withdraws Middlesbrough from their upcoming match against Chelsea.

Liverpool will play their first semi-final match at home against Fulham.

On 20th December 2023 at 10:29pm, a blog was written by Mike Jones.

Semi-final Draw For Carabao Cup

Alright, it's time to proceed with the drawing.

Harry and Jamie Redknapp are selecting the final four teams through a draw.

A possible free English rewrite of this blog section is: Hi there, folks! I'm Mike Jones and it's currently December 20, 2023, at 10:28 pm. I just wanted to share some thoughts with you about a topic that has been on my mind recently. In my view, it's important to consider the impact of our actions on others and the world around us. We often don't realize how much power we have to make a difference, both for good and for bad. Whether it's in our personal relationships, our work environments, or our larger communities, we can choose to be mindful and compassionate, or thoughtless and indifferent. Of course, none of us are perfect or immune to mistakes, but that shouldn't stop us from making an effort to live with intention and integrity. One small act of kindness or generosity can ripple out and inspire others to do the same. Conversely, one careless action or hurtful remark can create a negative chain reaction that we may regret later on. So, my challenge to all of us is to be more aware and thoughtful of how our choices and behaviors affect those around us. Let's strive to be agents of positive change and contribute to a healthier, happier, and more just world. Thanks for reading and take care!

Semi-final Draw For Carabao Cup

Jurgen Klopp is sharing his thoughts after the match and expressing his appreciation for Curtis Jones' performance. The draw for the semi-finals is scheduled to happen shortly after this interview.

Mike Jones wrote a post on December 20, 2023 at 10:26 PM.

Curtis Jones' Response After Game

My sole aim is to participate, be it the Carabao Cup, Europa League or Premier League. All I yearn for is to get a chance to play.

My aim is to make goals and assist the team. Playing well is fine, but scoring goals is important. I am thrilled because I have scored two goals and it puts a huge grin on my face!

The team is filled with enthusiasm. Despite not starting, Mohamed Salah came into the game and scored a goal. Trent also came in and helped with an assist. This highlights the team's high caliber. The season is looking very promising.

On December 20, 2023 at 10:19 pm, Mike Jones wrote a blog post.

"Cody Gakpo Talks To Sky Sports About Liverpool"

A crucial match that we had to overcome. We gave it our all and in the end, it turned out to be a satisfying game.

Our team consists of fantastic players that make up an excellent group. To succeed, the key is to maintain our concentration, stick together, and always put in the effort. By doing so, we can showcase our impressive abilities and skills.

To remain composed, maintain concentration, and persist is imperative.

Mike Jones posted a blog on December 20th, 2023 at 10:15 PM.

"Perfectly Timed Goals: Liverpool Crush West Ham"

It turns out that a strategy of shooting without hesitation can actually be effective. On Sunday, Liverpool took many shots during their match, but unfortunately they weren't able to score any goals against Manchester United. However, things changed when they played in the rain at Anfield; they were able to score several goals with 34 attempts.

After three days, they persisted endlessly until they finally succeeded on their 29th try, scoring five remarkable goals through beautiful finishes. Their determination, resourcefulness, and exceptional performance led them to defeat West Ham effortlessly, allowing them to overcome their dissatisfaction from the drawn match on Sunday. With their impressive display, they are now highly favored to win the Carabao Cup for the second time in three years as they move on to the semifinals.

The team that played with confidence and the ability to see victory within reach showed much enthusiasm, while West Ham played poorly as if their manager has no experience winning at Anfield.

David Moyes has been on a winning streak for over 20 years in 21 matches, but this defeat to Liverpool was his worst yet. Klopp's team had an almost flawless performance, with excellent goals from Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. They were completely in control and played with a lot of ambition right from the beginning. However, the fact that the eventual shot count was 29-2 shows how poorly the Hammers performed.

Mike Jones wrote a blog on December 20th, 2023 at 10:12pm.