Liverpool and Chelsea will meet at Anfield in the Carabao Cup last 16, handing Xabi Alonso an October return to the ground where he spent five years as a player and helped produce one of European football’s great escape acts.
Liverpool and Chelsea set for Anfield cup night
The draw was made after Brighton’s 3-2 victory at Manchester United on Wednesday, a result which knocked Michael Carrick’s side out of the competition.
For Alonso, now Chelsea manager, the tie carries rather more history than the usual midweek cup assignment. The former midfielder was a Liverpool player from 2004 to 2009 and was part of the side that won the 2004-05 Champions League, recovering from 3-0 down against Milan before taking the final on penalties in Istanbul.
Liverpool and Chelsea are not due to play a Premier League match at Anfield until May. The League Cup has brought Alonso back much sooner, with the last-16 fixture to be played in October.
The last-16 draw
| Club | Opponent | Venue or condition |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Chelsea | Anfield |
| Manchester City | Brighton | City must first beat Norwich |
| Arsenal | Fleetwood | Fleetwood play in League Two |
| Bournemouth | Aston Villa | Villa away |
| Fulham | Crystal Palace | Fulham at home |
In the dressing room
Manchester City’s place in the next round is still to be settled. Pep Guardiola’s side face Championship club Norwich on Thursday, with Brighton waiting for the winners after their productive evening at Old Trafford.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have been paired with Fleetwood of League Two, while Unai Emery’s Aston Villa travel to Bournemouth. Fulham, managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, will host Crystal Palace.
The week ahead begins with City’s Norwich test, but the fixture already looming over the round is Alonso’s homecoming. Anfield has seen stranger European nights; a League Cup tie in October will have its own memories to answer to.
SEO title: Liverpool draw Chelsea as Xabi Alonso prepares for Anfield return
SEO description: Liverpool will host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last 16, bringing former Reds midfielder and current Blues manager Xabi Alonso back to Anfield in October.
