Liverpool have been drawn to welcome Chelsea at Anfield for their Carabao Cup fourth‑round clash, while the reigning Premier League champions Arsenal will meet the competition's lowest‑ranked remaining side, Fleetwood Town, in a separate tie. The upcoming fixture marks a significant moment for Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who will make his first appearance at Anfield in his new role after guiding his side to a victory over Leeds United last week.
Liverpool, for their part, earned their place in the draw by overcoming Tottenham Hotspur in a tightly contested match on Tuesday. Alonso’s connection to Liverpool runs deep. As a player, he was part of the squad that lifted the Champions League trophy, and his successful spell at the club has often sparked speculation that he might one day return in a managerial capacity. Recent rumors suggested he could be a candidate to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool, but he ultimately chose to accept the Chelsea job, taking his talents to Stamford Bridge instead.
Chelsea’s trip to Anfield is one of six all‑Premier League encounters scheduled for this round of the competition. The other fixtures include Manchester City, who secured a home tie against Brighton after a 2‑1 win over Norwich City on Thursday. Brighton earned their place in the draw by staging a dramatic comeback to defeat Manchester United, a result that has added extra intrigue to the upcoming fixtures. In the lower‑league bracket, League Two side Fleetwood Town will host Arsenal after pulling off a surprising upset against Championship side Sheffield United at home in the third round.
Fleetwood’s victory over a higher‑ranked opponent has set the stage for a classic David‑vers‑Goliath encounter with the league leaders. Other fourth‑round match‑ups confirmed for the week commencing 26 October are as follows: - Everton will welcome Newcastle United at Goodison Park. - Brentford travel to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
- Fulham will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. - Bournemouth will take on Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium. - Bradford City, representing League One, will face Peterborough United, ensuring that at least one lower‑division side remains in contention for a quarter‑final berth. The Carabao Cup’s fourth round promises a blend of high‑profile Premier League clashes and the possibility of further giant‑killing acts from smaller clubs.
The competition’s format, which pits teams from across the English football pyramid against each other, often produces memorable moments and unexpected results, and this round appears set to continue that tradition. Fans can look forward to a packed schedule of matches that will test squad depth, tactical flexibility, and the ability of managers to adapt to the unique pressures of knockout football. For Xabi Alonso, the Anfield trip offers a chance to showcase his tactical acumen against a side he once represented as a player, while Liverpool will be eager to prove that their recent form can translate into cup success. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s encounter with Fleetwood Town will be watched closely by neutral observers, as the Gunners seek to maintain momentum in both league and cup competitions.
Fleetwood, having already demonstrated their capacity to upset higher‑ranked opposition, will aim to replicate that performance on a bigger stage. The tournament’s quarter‑finals are slated to follow shortly after the fourth‑round fixtures, with the winners advancing to a stage where the stakes are even higher and the prospect of a place in the final at Wembley becomes a tangible goal.
In addition to the on‑field action, the competition continues to engage fans off the pitch. The organizers have launched a "Super 6" promotion, offering participants a chance to win a £1 million prize.
Entry to the promotion is free, encouraging widespread participation and adding an extra layer of excitement for supporters across the country. Overall, the Carabao Cup’s fourth round promises a mixture of marquee match‑ups, potential upsets, and opportunities for emerging talents to shine.
Whether it’s the tactical battle between Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, the classic underdog story of Fleetwood versus Arsenal, or the other six Premier League duels, football enthusiasts have plenty to anticipate as the competition moves deeper into its knockout phase.