LIVERPOOL will play Fulham in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with Middlesbrough up against Chelsea.
The first legs of the semis will take place in the week commencing January 8.
The ties will be decided in the second leg in the week commencing January 22.
Liverpool and Middlesbrough were both handed home draws for the first leg of their semi-finals.
Chelsea will have to travel to Teeside before a home second leg at Stamford Bridge, while Fulham visit Anfield.
It’s the last time the semi-finals will be decided over two legs – with the semis becoming one legged next season to reduce fixture congestion.
Liverpool were the standout performers in the cup’s quarter-finals, producing a stunning 5-1 victory over West Ham this evening.
Chelsea, meanwhile, needed penalties to make it past Newcastle on Tuesday evening.
That was also the case for Fulham, who had to go the distance with Everton at Goodison Park to make it to the semis, winning their shoot-out 7-6.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are the only Championship team left in the competition, and will be looking to produce an upset over two legs.
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Chelsea’s form this season has been patchy at best, but manager Mauricio Pochettino will be desperate to win his first piece of silverware in England with The Blues.
Liverpool will be overwhelming favourites for the trophy given their performances in the league this season, which could see them top at Christmas if they beat Arsenal on Saturday.
Chelsea’s historic pedigree with silverware will have them favoured by some, but they’re only one point above Fulham in the Prem.
Middlesbrough will be massive outsiders as the only Championship club remaining.
But Michael Carrick will fancy a chance to show Man Utd what he can do at the highest level after being snubbed for the permanent Old Trafford job when he was caretaker.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool will likely be grateful to have been kept apart, and will have their fingers crossed that the other will lose in their respective semi-final ties.
Father and son duo Harry and Jamie Redknapp conducted the draw live on Sky Sports after analysing Liverpool’s rout of West Ham.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
