Aston Villa to host Wolves, Leicester to travel to Burton
Thursday 26 September 2019 11:48, UK
Four of English football's giants will face off in the Carabao Cup fourth round after Chelsea were drawn to host Manchester United, while Arsenal travel to Liverpool.
Chelsea will be looking to avenge their 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, while Liverpool will be trying to extend their nine-game unbeaten run against Arsenal.
"It's a big draw, two big teams and I'm pleased we're at home," said Chelsea boss Frank Lampard. "Man United will bring a strong team here."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists his side will relish taking on Chelsea in the fourth round.
"If you want to win it, you have to beat the best," Solskjaer said after Manchester United's penalty shootout victory against Rochdale. "We're going to relish it and look forward to it."
The draw also produced a Midlands derby, with Aston Villa hosting Wolves, while Leicester will travel to Sky Bet League One Burton, who knocked out Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Manchester City, Carabao Cup winners in three of the last four seasons, have been handed a home draw against Southampton, while Marco Silva's Everton will host his former club Watford.
Colchester, who beat Tottenham on penalties in the previous round, have been rewarded with a trip to Crawley, who beat Stoke on penalties on Tuesday.
Oxford, who thrashed West Ham 4-0 in the third round, will play at home to fellow League One side Sunderland.
The fourth-round fixtures will take place in the week commencing October 28.
Sky Sports' Oliver Yew:
The Carabao Cup usually represents a chance for the Premier League's top clubs to shuffle their packs during what is a busy period of football.
Wednesday evening's fourth-round draw will have left Jurgen Klopp, Unai Emery, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard with plenty to think about as they ponder potentially three games in just six days.
Liverpool's squad will be tested severely with games against Tottenham in the Premier League and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup in quick succession following a Champions League trip to Genk. With the Reds sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table, Klopp will surely be forced into playing some, if not all, of his fringe players against the Gunners.
What about Arsenal? They have European commitments of their own and face Vitoria de Guimaraes in the Europa League and Crystal Palace in the Premier League before the trip to Anfield. Will Emery rest players in Europe in a bid to get a stronger line-up out against Liverpool - a side they have not beaten in their last nine attempts - or will he stick with the mix of youth and experience that saw off Nottingham Forest in fine style?
If Liverpool vs Arsenal is not enough, then throw in Chelsea vs Manchester United for good measure.
Chelsea have already suffered at the hands of United this season - 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season. Lampard will want to avoid the same fate when the teams meet at Stamford Bridge, but he will have trips to Ajax and Burnley to factor into the line-up he chooses to face United.
And finally, the pressure is mounting on Solskjaer at United, who have a daunting schedule coming up. The trip to Chelsea will come off the back of visits to Partizan Belgrade and Norwich, not to mention games against Newcastle at St James' Park and Liverpool at Old Trafford before that.
There's plenty of planning ahead for some of the Premier League's top managers.
"Liverpool vs Arsenal catches my eye straight away," Harry Kewell said. "It'll be interesting to see what teams will be put out. Will Jurgen Klopp go with a younger team again? Do Liverpool have a different agenda this year? Have they got their mindset on the Premier League title and the Champions League or will they go for everything?
"Liverpool's agenda is different to Arsenal's," said Joleon Lescott. "Arsenal should look at this competition and believe it's realistic as not their only, but a main target this season. Liverpool are fighting on four fronts."
"Chelsea and Manchester United will go strong because it's a good chance for them to get to a final and win something," Kewell added. "Manchester City will still be very difficult to beat in this competition."
