Liverpool and Chelsea have turned the League Cup into their own battleground over the years, now the old rivals are ready to do it all over again.
Are you confident Liverpool will beat Chelsea in the fourth round of the cup?
Liverpool’s pursuit of another piece of silverware has just been handed a serious early examination, with Chelsea heading to Anfield in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Reds were paired with the London club in Wednesday night’s draw after booking their place in the last 16 with a 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
The fourth-round fixtures are scheduled for the week commencing 26th October.
REUTERS/Scott HeppellCup History
Of all the names Liverpool could have pulled out, Chelsea carries considerably more history.
The two clubs have repeatedly collided in this competition, with their League Cup story beginning back in 1977 when Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield through goals from Kenny Dalglish and Jimmy Case. In 2000, Robbie Fowler’s extra-time winner secured another Anfield victory, this time 2-1.
Chelsea responded in the 2005 final, winning 3-2 after extra-time in Cardiff, before beating Liverpool 2-0 in the 2007 quarter-final. Liverpool gained revenge four years later when goals from Maxi Rodriguez and Martin Kelly secured a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell The rivalry intensified again in 2015. A 1-1 semi-final first leg at Anfield was followed by Chelsea winning 1-0 after extra-time at Stamford Bridge. Eden Hazard then inspired Chelsea to a 2-1 third-round victory at Anfield in 2018.
But Liverpool fans will need little reminding of the two most recent meetings.
The 2022 final somehow finished goalless before Caoimhin Kelleher converted Liverpool’s 11th penalty and Kepa Arrizabalaga fired over, giving Jürgen Klopp’s side an extraordinary 11-10 shootout victory.
Two years later came another Wembley classic. A depleted Liverpool side, packed with academy players by the end, refused to buckle before Virgil van Dijk powered home a 118th-minute header to secure a 1-0 victory and Liverpool’s record-extending tenth League Cup.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell Another Rivalry Chapter
Now the rivalry gets another chapter, and this time Anfield provides the backdrop.
Liverpool are already the competition’s most successful club with ten triumphs. Chelsea represent a sizeable obstacle to number 11, but recent history in this competition belongs to the Reds.
From Cardiff heartbreak to Kelleher’s penalty and Van Dijk’s Wembley winner, Liverpool versus Chelsea in the League Cup rarely does ordinary.
Confirmed Carabao Cup Fourth Round Ties
Fleetwood Town vs Arsenal
Manchester City or Norwich City vs Brighton and Hove Albion
Everton vs Newcastle United
Sunderland vs Brentford
Liverpool vs Chelsea
Bradford City vs Peterborough United
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
Previous League Cup meetings: 1977 Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea; 2000 Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea AET; 2005 Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool AET; 2007 Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool; 2011 Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool; 2015 Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea / Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool AET; 2018 Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea; 2022 Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (Liverpool won 11-10 pens); 2024 Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool AET.
Are you confident Liverpool will beat Chelsea in the fourth round of the cup? Comment below with your thoughts and score predictions.
