Carabao Cup draw LIVE! Chelsea and Liverpool learn semi-final fate

Carabao Cup semi-final draw LIVE!

The last-four lineup for the 2023/24 Carabao Cup is complete, as is the all-important draw conducted on Wednesday night. Liverpool were the last team to put their names into the hat after running riot to thrash West Ham 5-1, with Curtis Jones at the double to go along with further goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah.

Jarrod Bowen grabbed a stylish consolation strike for West Ham to make it 3-1 and set up faint hopes of an unlikely late comeback, but it was an embarrassing night for David Moyes' men on Merseyside. Chelsea had already sealed their semi-final place by scoring a late equaliser against Newcastle on Tuesday evening and then holding their nerve in a penalty shootout at Stamford Bridge.

West London rivals Fulham also ousted fellow Premier League team Everton on penalties, while Championship outfit Middlesbrough are the EFL's sole representatives in the semis this year after brushing aside League One side Port Vale, 3-0. Follow the Carabao Cup semi-final draw live below after Liverpool's comprehensive win at Anfield.

Carabao Cup draw latest news

• Chelsea face Middlesbrough in semi-finals

• Liverpool drawn against Fulham in final four

• Reds run riot to thrash West Ham in last quarter-final

Wednesday 20 December 2023 23:04 , George Flood

So that was nice and easy!

Those two-legged semi-final ties will be played across the weeks commencing January 8 and 22, 2024.

Chelsea will be at home at Stamford Bridge for the second leg after travelling to the Riverside Stadium first - scene of their FA Cup quarter-final win in March 2022.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will host Fulham at Anfield first before travelling to Craven Cottage for the return fixture.

Fulham have won only one of their last nine meetings with Liverpool, losing a Premier League thriller 4-3 at Anfield only this month.

More details here

Carabao Cup semi-final draw

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:30 , George Flood

Liverpool vs Fulham

Carabao Cup semi-final draw

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:30 , George Flood

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

Carabao Cup semi-final draw

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:30 , George Flood

Here we go at last!

Both Redknapps on the draw - Jamie and Harry

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:25 , George Flood

Nope, not quite yet as Sky choose to interview Jurgen Klopp first.

Such teases!

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:21 , George Flood

The draw is indeed now coming up on the other side of this final Sky advertising break.

Chelsea, Liverpool, Fulham and Middlesbrough fans wait with baited breath.

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:19 , George Flood

Looks like the draw is a little delayed as the Sky Sports pundits continue to dissect Liverpool's 5-1 hammering of West Ham.

But it won't be long now. Stay tuned!

Carabao Cup semi-final draw

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:11 , George Flood

This is your five-minute warning!

The Carabao Cup semi-final draw is coming up

Carabao Cup semi-final draw ball numbers

Wednesday 20 December 2023 22:04 , George Flood

1. Chelsea

2. Fulham

3. Middlesbrough

4. Liverpool

Carabao Cup semi-final draw

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:57 , George Flood

The semi-final draw is coming up at around 10:15pm GMT.

Liverpool are ball number four after brushing wretched West Ham aside.

Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:53 , George Flood

Full-time

A woeful night for West Ham as Liverpool run riot and join Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Stay tuned for the draw, which is coming up...

Liverpool 5-1 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:49 , George Flood

90 mins: Four minutes of added time for West Ham to endure.

A night to forget in all aspects.

GOAL! Liverpool 5-1 West Ham | Curtis Jones 84'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:42 , George Flood

84 mins: It's five!

This is really embarrassing for West Ham now.

Jones saunters into the box and is given the freedom of Anfield to waltz in and fire home his second of the night.

Moyes is seething. His team hit for five for the second time in a matter of weeks.

GOAL! Liverpool 4-1 West Ham | Mohamed Salah 82'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:41 , George Flood

82 mins: Now it is surely all over!

Salah atones for his earlier miss by racing through and finishing coolly low past Aeola after a West Ham attack broke down and Alexander-Arnold released his fellow substitute with one brilliant ball down the middle.

Liverpool 3-1 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:41 , George Flood

81 mins: Moyes now sends on Ings for Alvarez in a bid to stage an unlikely late West Ham comeback.

Liverpool 3-1 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:40 , George Flood

80 mins: How is it not 4-1?!

After Areola gets down low to deny Gomez, Liverpool come again and Nunez hits the post before Salah puts the rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.

You don't see him miss those... ever!

GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 West Ham | Jarrod Bowen 77'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:35 , George Flood

77 mins: A stylish consolation effort for the Hammers!

Johnson releases Bowen with a great lofted pass and the England forward beats Quansah all ends up before curling a superb effort beyond the despairing grasp of Kelleher, whose first action of the night after almost 80 minutes is to pick the ball out of the net.

Diaz replaces Gakpo for Liverpool. Another West Ham goal could tee up a grandstand finish here...

Liverpool 3-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:35 , George Flood

73 mins: Not that it matters now, but West Ham sent on Ward-Prowse and Kehrer for Kudus and Coufal after the third goal.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 West Ham | Cody Gakpo 72'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:29 , George Flood

72 mins: Liverpool are cruising into the Carabao Cup semi-finals!

Soucek is caught out trying to lazily pass back to Ogbonna by Konate, who comes forward and tees up Gakpo for an arrowed low strike into the bottom corner.

Dominant.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:29 , George Flood

71 mins: A very rare sight of goal for West Ham inside the last 20 minutes as Kudus fires harmlessly over Kelleher's crossbar.

The turf is now sodden with the rain continuing to stream down.

I make that West Ham's first effort of any kind on a wretched night.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:27 , George Flood

70 mins: Young Bradley is straight into the action for Liverpool as he cushions the ball nicely into the box for Salah, who fires high into the Kop under pressure.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:26 , George Flood

68 mins: Klopp now sends on 20-year-old full-back Conor Bradley.

Tsimikas off.

Watch: Curtis Jones squeezes home Liverpool's second

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:25 , George Flood

Is this the goal that seals Liverpool's place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals?

It was also their 500th in the competition...

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:24 , George Flood

64 mins: Alexander-Arnold is already shining in midfield again, but Nunez can't guide his low ball goal-wards - he may have been offside (again) anyway.

The last thing you want while trailing 2-0 is to see Salah running all over the place.

More goals feel inevitable for Liverpool with 25 minutes still to go at Anfield and their Egyptian superstar now leading the charge.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:20 , George Flood

62 mins: Jones tries his luck again from outside the box, while Areola now denies Elliott with his legs after great link-up play with Salah.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:19 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

I wondered if the second goal might be cue for Jurgen Klopp to start thinking about the visit of Arsenal on Saturday.

He has sort of done so in bringing off Van Dijk and Szoboszlai, but these are fairly handy replacements.

Liverpool 2-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:19 , George Flood

60 mins: Klopp now looks to his bench after the second goal.

Konate, Alexander-Arnold and Salah replace Van Dijk, Endo and Szoboszlai.

Trent into midfield.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 West Ham | Curtis Jones 56'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:13 , George Flood

56 mins: Liverpool do now have that all-important second goal before the hour!

Nunez does very well to play in Jones, who takes a quick look up and sees no team-mate in the middle, so instead squeezes the ball home through the legs of Areola from a tough angle.

The West Ham goalkeeper has to do better there.

That could well be the knockout blow for the Hammers, who have now sent on Paqueta for Benrahma after the goal.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:12 , George Flood

53 mins: Better from West Ham at long last as they counter swiftly down the left, Johnson releasing Bowen, whose menacing low cross towards Fornals is crucially guided behind by Tsimikas.

A potentially goal-saving intervention there from the Greek left-back.

Liverpool have been absolutely dominant tonight, but the scoreline means West Ham are still well in the game.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:10 , George Flood

52 mins: Alvarez has been a cracking signing for West Ham in general but he's looked lost tonight and is now booked for a challenge on Elliott, who cops a painful blow to the ankle.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:09 , George Flood

50 mins: Dominant Liverpool have already had four shots in the early stages of this second period to take them up to 15.

West Ham have not had one so far tonight.

Jones now shoots wide. Paqueta will be coming on for West Ham very soon.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:08 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

West Ham fans start the second half with a chorus of Lucas Paqueta and he's straight out warming up, already in just his match shirt.

I can't imagine he's doing his Kieran Tierney impression so I suspect the Brazilian will be on within minutes.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:07 , George Flood

49 mins: Liverpool have picked up where they left off in the first half, Ogbonna failing to deal with a Szoboszlai run and cross from the byline that is steered behind by Coufal.

A determined Nunez then spins away from Fornals before stinging the palms of Areola.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 21:04 , George Flood

Back underway at Anfield.

No changes from Moyes just yet.

Same Liverpool XI too.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:54 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

Shades of the Tottenham game in terms of how comprehensively West Ham have been outplayed in the first half.

Similar turnaround needed. Liverpool have been superb.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:48 , George Flood

Half-time

Szoboszlai's belter has the Reds deservedly ahead at the break, but they should be out of sight already.West Ham need to make changes, soon.

They are still well in this game as long as it's 1-0, but it's been a rotten display so far.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:47 , George Flood

46 mins: West Ham embark on a rare counter-attack of sorts but Benrahma can't get the cross in from the left and is quickly crowded out by Quansah.

The 20-year-old has been excellent for Liverpool so far tonight.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:46 , George Flood

45 mins: Gomez comes forward down the right, finding Elliott for a cross that is headed agonisingly wide of the far post by Gakpo.

That could easily have been 2-0.

Just the one minute of added time signalled at the end of this first half.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:44 , George Flood

41 mins: Liverpool have taken their foot off the gas a little bit over the last few minutes, but they are still in complete and utter control of this quarter-final tie.

Still, they cannot get comfortable while the lead is only 1-0.

How good is Quansah, by the way?

Moyes will no doubt already be pondering changes with the likes of Paqueta and Ward-Prowse on the bench.

Watch: Szoboszlai fires Liverpool in front

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:41 , George Flood

What a strike from Szoboszlai to hand Liverpool a deserved lead at Anfield...

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:38 , George Flood

37 mins: Johnson dispossesses Nunez inside the box for another Liverpool corner.

West Ham eventually earn a free-kick thanks to an infringement from Endo.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:38 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

David Moyes is urging his defenders to push up and try and squeeze those gaps where Elliott and Gakpo are finding space but you can understand their hesitancy. It's not a centre-back pairing blessed with pace.

This is the quietest 35 minutes I've seen Mohammed Kudus endure in a West Ham shirt. Liverpool have been very quick to double up on the Ghanaian, which you can probably do more easily when you've not got the wandering Lucas Paqueta to keep tabs on as well.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:37 , George Flood

35 mins: Liverpool are really in the mood here and Van Dijk almost picks out the run of Gomez with a gorgeous long diagonal pass.

West Ham need the half-time whistle already. They look disorganised and dishevelled with no semblance of a plan, stuck in their own half.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:34 , George Flood

32 mins: Liverpool are very keen to swiftly double their advantage and Mavropanos has to be alert to turn behind Szoboszlai's cross from the byline.

Soucek initially clears the corner from the right before Areola commits to a risky punch.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:33 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

That must be so frustrating for David Moyes.

You wouldn't say his team had weathered the storm but they were at least starting to get a foothold in the game.

Now the crowd are up again and Liverpool are hunting a second.

Liverpool 1-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:32 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

Oh Said Benrahma, what have you done?

Had he got the ball out of his feet there, Jarrod Bowen was away.

Instead, within seconds, the ball's in the West Ham net. Fine margins but it's no less than Liverpool deserve.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 West Ham | Dominik Szoboszlai 28'

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:29 , George Flood

28 mins: A rocket from Szoboszlai gives Liverpool a deserved lead!

Benrahma is crucially caught in possession by Quansah and Johnson gives Szoboszlai way too much space to let fly with a beauty that nestles beyond Areola and into the bottom corner.

West Ham can have no complaints. They've been dreadful.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:28 , George Flood

26 mins: I thought Liverpool would be targeting Johnson and Ogbonna a lot more tonight, but a lot of their attacks are actually coming down that channel between Coufal and Mavropanos.

Gomez's heavy touch stalls their latest attack in its tracks and hands West Ham a pressure-relieving goal kick.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:26 , George Flood

24 mins: Liverpool are breezing through West Ham's non-existent midfield constantly in this one-sided first half.

They are furious to be denied a corner after Gomez tries to take on Johnson, but come again as Elliott's latest shot is deflected wide.

Soucek clears the subsequent set-piece and Endo later fires well off target.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:24 , George Flood

22 mins: Yet more Liverpool pressure, Szoboszlai combining with Nunez in the left channel before slipping as he shoots wide from the edge of the box.

Jones also looks to test Areola, but it's an easy stop for the Frenchman.

Eight shots already for Liverpool in just over 20 minutes, two on target. 59 per cent possession so far.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:23 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

That Kudus snatched shot is a product of the pressure Liverpool have put West Ham under in the first 20 minutes.

They feel like every time they do get the ball, they have to make something happen quickly and it's all a bit panicked.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:22 , George Flood

20 mins: Another Elliott strike is easily held by Areola.

West Ham get forward again as the in-form Kudus cuts in off the right flank, but his sliced shot heads out for a throw-in on the far side to ironic cheers from the home faithful.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:20 , George Flood

18 mins: West Ham have now had a couple of brief forays forward, Benrahma weaving his way into the Liverpool box but running straight into three red shirts in Endo, Gomez and Quansah.

Nunez caught offside again a few moments ago at the other end.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:19 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

Jarell Quansah looks a very composed young man in possession at the back.

Some lovely passes through the lines to get the likes of Elliott and Gakpo into good positions.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:19 , George Flood

16 mins: Nunez steers a header well wide as Liverpool continue to control proceedings totally at Anfield.

Moyes and coach Kevin Nolan are bellowing at the West Ham players on the touchline to get forward.

They cannot escape their own half at the moment.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:16 , George Flood

14 mins: It's just a matter of time before dominant Liverpool take the lead here.

They are swarming all over West Ham, this time Jones skipping past the lazy challenge of Alvarez all too easily.

Szoboszlai can't pull the trigger, but the eager Elliott cuts inside Fornals before unleashing another venomous strike that drifts just wide of the near post.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:14 , George Flood

12 mins: West Ham have really not got a foothold in this game so far whatsoever.

It looks like being a long night at the moment as Mavropanos slides in to divert Tsimikas' cross behind for a corner.

Liverpool are pouring forward so easily.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:11 , George Flood

10 mins: Good early pressure from Liverpool, who look lively in both midfield and attack so far and are winning the ball back plenty in decent areas with their energetic high press.

West Ham, by contrast, are nervy, but see off some initial danger as Ogbonna steers away one cross into the box.

Elliott then races forward before flashing a dangerous shot wide of the far post with Areola at full stretch.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:09 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

I wonder how easy it is for linesmen to click back into the mode of doing their job without VAR.

When Nunez ran through there I assumed the flag would stay down as it was a tight one - forgetting that we've not got VAR here and the official has to make a call in real time.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:08 , George Flood

6 mins: I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles belts out from the packed away end as Liverpool dominate possession and probe patiently in search of another early opening.

Nunez is sent clear by a cute pass from Gakpo, but the offside flag halts the Uruguayan in his tracks. That looked tight!

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:06 , George Flood

5 mins: Szoboszlai charges through the middle for Liverpool with a purposeful run, but his eventual strike is accidentally blocked by his own team-mate in Nunez, who had no time to get out of the way.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:05 , George Flood

3 mins: A couple of nervy moments now for Areola early on.

He's looking a bit shaky on his first start for a few weeks as he looks to win back the job full-time from Fabianski.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:03 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

It sounds like a small picky thing, but even in that passage of play there you could see Angelo Ogbonna's relative lack of pace.

He was trotting back to mop up but it gave Gakpo a bit of incentive to chase down and eventually he almost put Areola in a very sticky position.

Liverpool 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:03 , George Flood

1 min: A few nervy early moments for West Ham as Areola scrambles to clear and Liverpool commit to an energetic high press, led by Nunez.

A reminder that Coufal is the only West Ham player to retain their place in the backline from Sunday's win over Wolves.

It's a makeshift Hammers defence and there could be more than a few hairy moments ahead tonight.

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 20:01 , George Flood

Underway at Anfield!

Who will join Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough to complete the Carabao semi-final lineup for 2023/24?

Liverpool all in red tonight, with West Ham in their white away strips.

Ogbonna captains the Hammers on his surprise start.

You'll Never Walk Alone belting out around the ground.

West Ham attacking the Kop End in the first half. No VAR tonight, remember.

Here we go...

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:58 , George Flood

The teams are out amid a great atmosphere at Anfield.

A big-game feel about this one, only slightly diluted by the six changes apiece.

Tim Robinson is tonight's referee.

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:56 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

When I was here earlier in the season the new upper on the Anfield Road Stand was still closed but the top tier is well populated tonight, while West Ham have taken over the entirety of the bottom tier with an away allocation of around 6,000.

A big red strip of empty seats separates them - looks a bit like a jam sandwich on rye bread.

Moyes explains six West Ham changes

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:54 , George Flood

Moyes tells Sky Sports in his own pre-match interview that his six changes tonight come from a desire to keep everybody fit and fresh amid a gruelling fixture list.

He also confirms that Aguerd and Cornet miss out due to illness.

A lot of mutual respect between Moyes and Klopp tonight.

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:51 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

One of these days I'm going to have to get a pair of trousers that cover my ankles. A nippy, windy night on Merseyside.

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:47 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

To put Ben Johnson's start into context, I've been told that Aaron Cresswell is one of those who has been struggling with illness over the last week.

Explains how Johnson has seemingly come from third-choice left-back to start tonight.

Klopp hails Bowen before West Ham clash

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:41 , George Flood

In his pre-match interview with Sky Sports, Jurgen Klopp calls Jarrod Bowen one of his favourite Premier League players outside of Liverpool.

That sound you can hear is the transfer speculation cranking right back up ahead of the January window...

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:33 , George Flood

More pre-match thoughts from Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield...

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:29 , George Flood

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia at Anfield

I have to say I'm pretty surprised by that West Ham team.

The schedule has been gruelling but Angelo Ogbonna hasn't started a league game since August and Ben Johnson hasn't played a minute in the league this season.

In fact, he's not even been making the bench in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the great goalkeeper guessing game continues.

Alphonse Areola is in net tonight having now fully recovered from a wrist injury - but does that mean he's now back to being the cup goalkeeper, with Lukasz Fabianski as No1, or is David Moyes keen to give him a tune-up before Manchester United visit on Saturday?

Moyes springs shock as Ogbonna and Johnson start

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:21 , George Flood

The West Ham lineup is far more surprising, with David Moyes springing a shock by bringing both Angelo Ogbonna and Ben Johnson into the defence in place of captain Kurt Zouma and Emerson Palmieri.

James Ward-Prowse and Lucas Paqueta also make way for Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma further forward.

Alphonse Areola does replace Lukasz Fabianski in goal, while Konstantinos Mavropanos comes in for Nayef Aguerd.

Six changes in total from the 3-0 win over Wolves on Sunday, with Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet absent completely due to illness.

Youngsters Kaelen Casey and Callum Marshall have travelled with the squad for experience, meanwhile.

Six Liverpool changes with no Gravenberch

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:16 , George Flood

So Jurgen Klopp makes a total of six changes to the Liverpool team that drew 0-0 with rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield on Sunday.

Cup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher replaces usual No1 Alisson as expected, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is only on the bench as Joe Gomez lines up at right-back and Ibrahima Konate makes way for young Jarell Quansah in the centre.

Ryan Gravenberch is not involved after all as Curtis Jones comes into midfield, while Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz are replaced in attack by Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.

West Ham lineup

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:08 , George Flood

West Ham XI: Areola, Coufal, Ogbonna, Mavropanos, Johnson, Alvarez, Soucek, Fornals, Kudus, Bowen, Benrahma

Subs: Fabianski, Cresswell, Zouma, Ward-Prowse, Paqueta, Ings, Kehrer, Emerson, Mubama

Liverpool lineup

Wednesday 20 December 2023 19:03 , George Flood

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Nunez, Gakpo

Subs: Adrian, Konate, Diaz, Salah, Clark, Gordon, McConnell, Alexander-Arnold, Bradley

Lineups on the way

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:54 , George Flood

Official team news from Anfield will be dropping any minute now - stay tuned!

Darwin Nunez 'full of fire' and backed to rediscover scoring touch

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:45 , George Flood

Pep Lijnders offered his full backing to Darwin Nunez in his own pre-match press call.

The Uruguayan maverick has now gone a full 10 games without scoring, having last netted for Liverpool in the 2-1 win at Bournemouth in the fourth round of this competition at the start of November.

However, Lijnders believes Nunez is still playing a vital role for the Reds as they chase glory both at home and on the continent.

"I think Darwin is full of desire, you see this in each game, and if we would only judge players on the goals that would be so unfair, because in our way, always when we reach our targets or really were there to compete, it was always about the collective," he said.

"I feel there is a good connection between Mo (Salah) and Darwin, the way they see each other, assist each other, and I feel above everything that Darwin is playing a much better season than last year, the way how he defends for the team, goes, chases back, his counter press as well. He helps us a lot when we are deep and we can play with him as a reference.

"It's a long time we play with a false nine, and now its Darwin Nunez. He is learning but I like a lot, and I think this guy is full of fire. That's what our stadium likes and that's what we need as well, to lead the line in this way. He can only become better.

"It's always with goals, if you create a lot, the goals will come naturally. We are creating and sometimes you have to be a little bit lucky. He feels our trust, that's the thing we can give him."

Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:34 , George Flood

Our reporter Malik Ouzia has arrived at Anfield!

His pre-match thoughts on the way soon

West Ham confident over quarter-final upset

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:28 , George Flood

Both Jurgen Klopp and David Moyes sent their respective assistants to face the media ahead of tonight's fixture, with Pep Lijnders taking Liverpool press conference duties as Billy McKinlay did likewise for West Ham.

And McKinlay insisted that the Hammers, buoyed by their continued success in Europe, have what it takes to get through to the semi-finals of this competition for the first time since 2014, when they lost to Manchester City.

West Ham have never won the Carabao Cup, losing on both final appearances in 1966 and 1981.

"Success and winning gives you a couple of things - it makes you hungry for more and it gives you a feeling that you're capable of doing it and being successful and winning things," McKinlay said.

"I think that's been the case for our good run in the Europa League and we've done the business there.

"We're in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup so we're in a good place at the moment, we're hungry and looking to improve on that.

"I think that the fact we've finished seventh and sixth in recent years suggests we're also a 'good league team' as well, so if we can marry the two we can come up with that we're not a bad team.

"We've still got work to do and things to improve, but I think over the last two-and-a-half years we've shown that we're a decent team capable of winning games and going deep into competitions, so we've got confidence from that and Wednesday will be another big game.

"We've got a new group of players going up there and there is no reason to have any trepidation and we won't have any mindset other than 'this will be a tough game and we're going to have to play well to win the game'.

"We're rising to the challenge, hopefully, so we need to keep working hard, keep our feet on the ground and keep going, and that's what we'll do."

Fabianski or Areola? Inside West Ham's biggest selection debate

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:14 , George Flood

So will it be Lukasz Fabianski - recently handed a new one-year contract extension that will keep him at the club beyond his 40th birthday - or Alphonse Areola handed the gloves for West Ham tonight?

Standard Sport's Malik Ouzia weighs in on David Moyes' biggest selection debate...

Unworkable. Unsustainable. Even unfair.

They are just a few of the words used this season to describe the Premier League’s most popular (only?) goalkeeping soap opera, still running in north London following the arrival of David Raya to compete with (usurp) Aaron Ramsdale for the Arsenal No1 shirt.

What has gone less noticed is that, across the capital, the east-enders have been managing a not dissimilar situation perfectly well for two-and-a-half seasons now.

In Lukasz Fabiański and Alphonse Areola, West Ham possess perhaps the second-best depth between the sticks in the entire division, but without the scrutiny that has at times appeared to make lesser players of both of the Arsenal contenders.

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Resurgent West Ham out to end Anfield hoodoo

Wednesday 20 December 2023 18:04 , George Flood

West Ham were easily beaten 3-1 on this ground in the Premier League back in September, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota both on target in the second half after Jarrod Bowen's equaliser had cancelled out an opening penalty from Mohamed Salah.

To say that the Hammers have a poor recent record against tonight's opponents would be putting it mildly - they have lost four in a row and 12 of the last 14 meetings across all competitions.

West Ham have also been absolutely wretched at Anfield this century, losing on 17 of their previous 22 visits - the worst record of any team at the famous old stadium since 2000.

To make matters worse, Anfield remains a huge hoodoo for David Moyes, who has never won there in 20 previous attempts as a manager.

But with the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Bowen and Lucas Paqueta all in such electric form and Liverpool perhaps having one eye on a huge title showdown with Arsenal, is tonight the night that all that changes?

Liverpool vs West Ham predicted lineups

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:50 , George Flood

Here is how Standard Sport sees both teams lining up tonight:

Liverpool predicted XI: Kelleher; Gomez, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Jones, Szoboszlai; Nunez, Gakpo, Salah

West Ham predicted XI: Areola; Kehrer, Zouma, Mavropanos, Emerson; Alvarez, Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta

Liverpool vs West Ham prediction

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:48 , George Flood

Real Madrid are the only team to have beaten Liverpool at Anfield so far in 2023, while the draw with Manchester United on Sunday ended the 11-match winning run Jurgen Klopp's side had put together on home soil this season.

West Ham will believe they can cause Liverpool real problems on the break and they will likely get space to exploit at times, but the Reds will be desperate to return to winning ways and can be expected to take out some of the frustration from the weekend on the Hammers.

Liverpool to win, 3-1.

West Ham team news

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:46 , George Flood

Resurgent West Ham seemed to be largely over the sickness bug that was ravaging the squad when they were thumped 5-0 at Fulham a couple of weeks ago, with Freiburg brushed aside to seal direct qualification for the Europa League last 16 before Wolves were also put to the sword on Sunday.

However, David Moyes' assistant Billy McKinlay admitted at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the illness was still lingering a bit and that they would need to make a final check on the squad ahead of travelling to Anfield.

West Ham's only known absentee at present is Michail Antonio, who remains sidelined with the knee injury he sustained while away on international duty with Jamaica last month.

Moyes faces his biggest dilemma in goal, with Lukasz Fabianski the usual cup 'keeper but now back in favour in the league despite Alphonse Areola's recovery from a wrist problem.

Liverpool team news

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:40 , George Flood

Liverpool should have Ryan Gravenberch available for selection tonight.

Their impressive summer signing was forced off in the second half of Sunday's goalless Premier League draw with fierce rivals Manchester United at Anfield with a hamstring problem, although subsequent scans revealed it was only fatigue and he returned to training on Tuesday.

However, this game comes too soon for the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota, while Joel Matip, Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic all remain out.

It will be interesting to see what changes Jurgen Klopp makes from the United game with the small matter of a mammoth title showdown with Arsenal to come back at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Where to watch Liverpool vs West Ham

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:36 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, tonight's game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.

Coverage begins at 7pm GMT ahead of an 8pm kick-off.

Live stream: Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Sky Go app.

Welcome to Liverpool vs West Ham live coverage

Wednesday 20 December 2023 17:29 , George Flood

Good evening and a very warm welcome to Standard Sport's live coverage of Liverpool vs West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

This is the third and final all-Premier League showdown of the round as the Reds and Hammers look to join Chelsea, Fulham and Middlesbrough in the hat for the last four.

Kick-off tonight is at 8pm GMT, so stay tuned for all the latest team news, live updates and expert analysis from Standard Sport's reporter Malik Ouzia at Anfield.

We'll also have full live coverage of the semi-final draw, which will follow hot on the heels of the full-time whistle tonight.