Liverpool have been drawn to play Chelsea at Anfield in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, a fixture that promises a high‑profile showdown between two of England's most storied clubs. The draw also saw Premier League champions Arsenal paired with the competition's lowest‑ranked remaining side, Fleetwood Town, adding an intriguing David‑versus‑Goliath element to the tournament. The upcoming Anfield clash will mark the first time Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso returns to the Liverpool stadium in a coaching capacity.
Alonso, who guided Liverpool to Champions League glory as a player during his illustrious spell at the club, has quickly become a talking point in English football circles. After leading Chelsea to a victory over Leeds United in the previous round, he now faces his former teammates and the passionate home crowd. The Reds themselves earned their place in the tie by dispatching Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, setting the stage for a compelling encounter between two managers with deep personal connections to the club.
Alonso's journey to the Premier League has been noteworthy. Once linked with the vacant managerial position at Liverpool after the departure of Arne Slot, he ultimately chose to take the reins at Stamford Bridge. His appointment has been hailed as a bold move, given his experience as a top‑level midfielder and his growing reputation as a tactician.
The Anfield meeting will be a chance for him to test his ideas against a side that knows his playing style intimately, while also offering Liverpool supporters a nostalgic glimpse of a former hero now on the opposite bench. Chelsea's trip to Anfield is one of six all‑Premier League fixtures slated for this round of the cup.
The other matchups include Manchester City, who will host Norwich City after a convincing win that set up a home tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. Brighton earned their place by staging a dramatic comeback to defeat Manchester United, a result that has already been described as one of the tournament's most sensational.
In the lower leagues, League Two side Fleetwood Town will welcome Arsenal at Highbury Stadium after pulling off a remarkable upset against Championship side Sheffield United in the third round. Fleetwood's victory over a higher‑ranked opponent has injected excitement into the draw, as they now face a side that has dominated English football for the past three seasons. The match promises to be a classic cup tie, with the possibility of another giant‑killing act. Other fixtures in the fourth round include Everton hosting Newcastle United, Brentford travelling to Sunderland, Fulham taking on Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, and Bournemouth playing host to Aston Villa.
These matches round out a busy schedule that will see a mixture of Premier League heavyweights and lower‑division clubs competing for a coveted place in the quarter‑finals. The quarter‑final stage will also feature a League One representative, as Bradford City are set to host Peterborough United. This inclusion highlights the open nature of the competition, where clubs from across the English football pyramid have the chance to progress deep into the tournament.
The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is scheduled for the week beginning 26 October, with games spread across that period to accommodate broadcasting and logistical considerations. Fans can look forward to a series of thrilling fixtures that combine the prestige of top‑flight clubs with the romance of underdog stories. To recap the upcoming ties: - 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 (highlight of the round) - Arsenal vs Fleetwood Town - Everton vs Newcastle United Beyond the on‑field action, the competition continues to engage supporters with additional interactive elements.
For instance, participants can join the "Super 6" promotion for a chance to win a £1 million prize, with entry available at no cost. This initiative adds an extra layer of excitement for fans following the cup's progress. Overall, the fourth round promises a blend of high‑stakes drama, nostalgic reunions, and the ever‑present possibility of surprise results. Whether you are a supporter of a Premier League giant or a lower‑division club hoping for a historic run, the Carabao Cup continues to deliver compelling football narratives that capture the imagination of fans across the country.