The upcoming Carabao Cup fourth‑round fixtures have been set, and one of the headline match‑ups pits Liverpool against Chelsea at Anfield. The Merseyside side will welcome the London club to their home ground, while the defending Premier League champions Arsenal have been drawn against the competition's lowest‑ranked survivor, Fleetwood Town, in a classic David‑versus‑Goliath encounter. This tie will also mark a significant moment for Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who will make his first appearance at Anfield in a managerial capacity. Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder who lifted the Champions League trophy with the Reds during his playing days, has taken the helm at Stamford Bridge after guiding Chelsea to a victory over Leeds United in the previous round.
His debut at Liverpool's historic stadium comes just days after the Reds secured a win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, setting the stage for a compelling narrative of former player returning as an opponent. Alonso’s journey back to Liverpool is especially poignant given the recent speculation that he might replace Arne Slot at the Dutch club. Instead, he opted to stay in England, accepting the challenge of restoring Chelsea’s fortunes in the cup competition.
His deep connection to Liverpool, both as a player and now as a rival manager, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture. Chelsea’s trip to Anfield is one of six all‑Premier League clashes scheduled for this round of the tournament.
The other fixtures include Manchester City’s home game against Brighton, following City’s 2‑0 win over Norwich City on Thursday. Brighton earned the right to travel to the Etihad after staging a dramatic comeback to defeat Manchester United, a result that has already been hailed as one of the season’s most thrilling turnarounds. In the lower‑league bracket, League Two side Fleetwood Town will host Arsenal after pulling off a surprise upset against Championship side Sheffield United in the third round. Fleetwood’s victory over a higher‑ranked opponent has set up a classic cup tie that could see the Gunners face a formidable test against a side eager to prove they belong on the bigger stage.
Other fourth‑round match‑ups include Everton taking on Newcastle United at Goodison Park, Brentford traveling to Sunderland, Fulham meeting Crystal Palace at the iconic Craven Cottage, and Bournemouth welcoming Aston Villa to Dean Court. Notably, the quarter‑finals will still feature a League One representative, as Bradford City are set to host Peterborough United, ensuring that the competition retains its reputation for providing opportunities to clubs outside the top flight. The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is slated to unfold during the week commencing 26 October, offering fans a packed schedule of high‑stakes fixtures across the country.
The tournament continues to deliver excitement, with the possibility of giant‑killing acts and managerial storylines adding depth to each encounter. Below is a quick rundown of the confirmed fourth‑round pairings: - Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion - Sunderland vs Brentford - Bradford City vs Peterborough United - Fulham vs Crystal Palace - Bournemouth vs Aston Villa - Liverpool vs Chelsea (as detailed above) - Arsenal vs Fleetwood Town - Everton vs Newcastle United For those looking to add a bit of extra thrill to the weekend, the competition’s sponsor is running a "Super 6" promotion, offering participants a chance to win a £1 million prize pool. Entry is free, and fans can submit their predictions for the outcomes of the six highlighted matches.
This added incentive aims to engage supporters even further, turning each game into a potential ticket for a life‑changing win. Overall, the Carabao Cup’s fourth round promises a blend of top‑tier clashes, underdog stories, and managerial narratives that will keep football enthusiasts glued to their screens.
Whether you are a Liverpool fan anticipating a showdown with a former player turned rival, a Chelsea supporter eager to see how Xabi Alonso fares at Anfield, or a neutral observer excited about the potential for upsets, this round delivers a compelling mix of drama and competition.