The upcoming fourth round of the Carabao Cup has been set, and one of the headline fixtures sees Liverpool taking on Chelsea at Anfield. The draw also paired Premier League champions Arsenal with the competition's lowest‑ranked remaining side, Fleetwood Town, guaranteeing an intriguing clash between the top‑flight giants and a determined lower‑league outfit. Chelsea will travel to Liverpool for what will be manager Xabi Alonso's inaugural return to Anfield, this time wearing the blue jersey.
Alonso, who guided Liverpool to Champions League glory as a player during his illustrious spell at the club, was widely speculated to be a candidate for the Liverpool managerial vacancy after Jürgen Klopp’s departure. Instead, he accepted the role at Stamford Bridge, and his first Anfield encounter as a manager comes after Chelsea's 2‑1 victory over Leeds United last week. Liverpool, meanwhile, earned their place by edging past Tottenham Hotspur in a tightly contested match on Tuesday. The fixture adds to a series of all‑Premier League showdowns in this round of the cup.
Manchester City, having dispatched Norwich City on Thursday, will host Brighton & Hove Albion, who famously staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Manchester United in their previous round. In total, six Premier League teams will be involved in these matchups, underscoring the tournament's growing prestige as clubs field strong line‑ups. On the other side of the draw, League Two side Fleetwood Town have been drawn against Arsenal.
Fleetwood secured their spot in the fourth round after a memorable upset over Championship side Sheffield United at their home ground in the third round. The north‑west club will now face the defending league champions, offering a classic David‑vers‑Goliath narrative that could produce a memorable cup giant‑killing.
The remainder of the fourth‑round fixtures includes several other intriguing pairings: Everton will host Newcastle United, Brentford travel to Sunderland, Fulham meet Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, and Bournemouth welcome Aston Villa to the Vitality Stadium. Additionally, a League One side, Bradford City, will be present in the quarter‑finals after hosting Peterborough United, ensuring that the competition retains its tradition of mixing clubs from across the English football pyramid. The fourth‑round ties are scheduled for the week commencing 26 October, with matches spread over several days to accommodate broadcasting and logistical considerations.
Fans can look forward to a blend of high‑stakes encounters featuring some of the country's most storied clubs, as well as the ever‑entertaining prospect of lower‑division teams pulling off surprising results. Beyond the on‑field action, the Carabao Cup continues to engage supporters through additional promotions. One such initiative is the "Super 6" competition, which offers participants a chance to win a £1 million prize.
Entry to the Super 6 is free, encouraging a wider audience to get involved and add an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. In summary, the draw has set up a compelling series of fixtures: Liverpool versus Chelsea at Anfield, Arsenal versus Fleetwood Town, Manchester City versus Brighton, and a host of other Premier League clashes.
The mixture of top‑tier talent and underdog ambition promises a thrilling round of football, with the potential for both spectacular performances and unexpected upsets. As the dates draw nearer, supporters across the nation will be eagerly anticipating the kickoff of what could be a memorable chapter in this season's Carabao Cup.