CARABAO CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW: Liverpool and Chelsea avoid heavyweight final-four showdown with a repeat of mouthwatering 2022 final at Wembley on the cards

• Liverpool have been drawn against Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals 
• Chelsea will take on Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough for a spot at Wembley 
• Where is Liverpool’s Declan Rice? If Jordan Henderson hadn’t taken the Saudi cash, he’d be in Jurgen Klopp’s team – It’s All Kicking Off 

Liverpool have been drawn against Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-finals while Chelsea will take on Championship side Middlesbrough.

The first leg ties will be played during the week commencing January 8, 2024, while the return legs will take place later that month, the week commencing January 22.

Jurgen Klopp’s side reached the final four after downing a hapless West Ham 5-1 at Anfield, with Curtis Jones scoring a brace and Dominik Szoboszlai netting a stunner. 

Chelsea beat Newcastle on penalties to seal their spot in the hat in dramatic fashion.

Fulham, meanwhile, knocked Everton out on spot-kicks with the match locked at 1-1 at the end of normal time at Goodison Park, while Middlesbrough beat Port Vale 3-0.

Carabao Cup draw

Liverpool v Fulham

Middlesbrough v Chelsea 

Michael Carrick’s side have reached the semi-finals for the first time since 2004.

The draw means that Liverpool and Chelsea, should they triumph in their respective ties, will set up a repeat of the heavyweight 2022 final in London. 

Reacting to the draw, Liverpool boss Klopp said: ‘Two spectacular games.

‘Fulham are extremely well set-up. 

They were really unlucky against Newcastle. 

‘I am not sure I would have given the red card (for Raul Jimenez).

‘Really strong, really good team and they want to go to Wembley as well.’

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Liverpool will aim to reach their 14th final and win the cup for the 10th time. 

Fulham have not reached a semi-final of any sort since 2010, when they progressed to the final of the Europa League, and will aim for a surprise cup success next year. 

Boro, the only non-Premier League side safely through to the last four, won the competition in 2004 – the last time the second tier side lifted a major trophy.

The exact dates and times for the semi-finals are yet to be confirmed. 

The final is scheduled to be played at Wembley on Sunday, February 25. 

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