Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Liverpool, Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough learn semi-final fate
Liverpool and Chelsea avoided each other in the semi-final draw
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool will play Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals while Middlesbrough face Chelsea.
Liverpool, who defeated Chelsea to win the League Cup in 2022, put West Ham to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side are favourites for the Carabao Cup as they look to win the tournament for a record-extending 10th time.
Fulham are into the League Cup semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history and are yet to win a major domestic trophy. Marco Silva’s side defeated Everton on penalties and would play in their first major final since finishing runners-up in the 2009 Uefa Cup should they reach Wembley.
Middlesbrough, the only non-Premier League team through to the last four, were winners of the League Cup in 2004 - in what was also the last time the club won a major honour. Michael Carrick’s team beat Port Vale in the quarter-finals and are currently 13th in the Championship table.
They will play Chelsea, who stunned Newcastle United, last season’s runners-up, at Stamford Bridge. The Blues were rescued by Mykhailo Mudryk’s late equaliser before winning 4-2 on penalties. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have struggled in the Premier League this season but the young Blues could get lift-off in the Carabao Cup.
The Carabao Cup semi-final ties will take place over two legs and will be played across 9/10 and 16/17 January. Follow our live blog below for the latest updates from the Carabao Cup and to see who will face who in the semi-finals
Charlie Adam backs Reds to win cup
Former Liverpool midfielder, Charlie Adam, is backing the Reds to go on and lift the trophy after they reached the semi-finals.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live he said: “That is a big win.
“There is an opportunity to go on and win it. Manchester City are out of it now and they really have the chance to go and win it. A cup tie at Anfield is special.”
Liverpool reach semi-finals
Liverpool’s hammering of West Ham means they complete the final four line-up and go into the draw alongside Middlesbrough, Fulham and Chelsea.
The draw is due to take place at 10.15pm which is when the remaining teams will discover who they face in the next round.
Chelsea eyeing up another date at Wembley
Only three clubs have won the tournament more times than Chelsea, with the Blues’ most recent triumph coming back in 2015.
Since then, Chelsea have made the final on two occasions - in 2019 and 2022 - but lost both on penalties after drawing 0-0 with Manchester City and Liverpool respectively.
Full time! Liverpool 5-1 West Ham
Liverpool cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals as the nine-time winners thrashed toothless West Ham 5-1 at Anfield.
The Reds were much improved from their blunt display in Sunday’s stalemate with Manchester United and dominated throughout, with goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and a brilliant double from Curtis Jones.
West Ham boss David Moyes belatedly brought on Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse with his side three goals down and Jarrod Bowen pulled one back with the visitors’ first shot on target.
But Salah came off the bench to deny any hopes of an unlikely comeback before Jones added his second after a wonderful run and finish.
Jurgen Klopp’s side now join Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the semi-finals as the Reds await the results of the Carabao Cup draw.
Fulham in uncharted territory
Marco Silva’s side, meanwhile, are the only club left in the draw who will be making their debut appearance in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The west London club have got past Tottenham, Norwich, Ipswich and Everton to get to this point and their fans will be hoping they can go one further to reach the final next year.
Underdogs Middlesbrough looking to roll back the clocks
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are the only non-Premier League team left in the draw but they have got history in the competition.
Captained by Gareth Southgate at the time, Boro triumphed 2-1 over Bolton Wanderers to win the tournament back in 2004. This will be their first time back in a semi-final since that edition - who will they face?
Middlesbrough book place in Carabao Cup semi-final draw with win over Port Vale
Middlesbrough cruised into the Carabao Cup semi-finals after breezing past Port Vale 3-0.
Jonny Howson, Morgan Rogers and Matt Crooks fired the 2004 winners in to the last four with a comfortable win at Vale Park.
Boro had not made a major domestic semi-final since losing to West Ham in the last four of the FA Cup in 2006. Vale’s big night – their first League Cup quarter-final – was ruined by the incisive and efficient visitors within 23 minutes.
Gavin Massey missed the hosts’ best chance but Boro boss Michael Carrick, a two-time winner with Manchester United, ultimately navigated a tricky tie with ease given their injury problems.
Middlesbrough book place in Carabao Cup semi-final draw with win over Port Vale
Boro had not reached a domestic cup semi final for 17 years
Goals galore at Anfield! After Jarrod Bowen pulled one back, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones make it 5-1 to Liverpool. Thrashing.
Liverpool vs West Ham LIVE: Latest Carabao Cup latest updates
Follow all the live action as Liverpool take on West Ham at Anfield
Fulham beat Everton on penalties to make Carabao Cup semi-finals
Fulham captain Tosin Adarabioyo scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Everton which put the club into their first Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Toffees’ hero from their second-round comeback win at Doncaster, Beto came off the bench to score a late equaliser after Michael Keane’s own goal but in sudden death in the spot-kicks, Idrissa Gana Gueye hit the post and Adarabioyo scored to send the Cottagers through 7-6.
It was the fourth time in the last six seasons Everton had exited the competition on penalties and brought to end a four-match winning run as their hopes of a first semi-final appearance in seven years were dashed.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s save from Bobby De Cordova-Reid in front of the Gwladys Street gave Amadou Onana the chance to win it with their fifth and final penalty in regulation but the Belgium international, who had been relatively ineffective all game, chose placement over power and placed the ball too close to Bernd Leno.
Fulham’s victory also saw them become the first club to win at Goodison Park three times in a calendar year, while their former Toffees boss Marco Silva, who reached the FA Cup quarter-finals last season, returned to haunt his old club once again.
Report courtesy of PA
Another one! I think we can put Liverpool’s name in the hat now...
Liverpool lead 3-0 and it’s Cody Gakpo who cuts inside on the edge of the box before fizzing a shot between the legs of Konstantinos Mavropanos and nestling it into the far bottom corner.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments