Arsenal, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have seen their Carabao Cup semi-final schedules confirmed.
The Gunners take on Newcastle and Premier League-leaders Liverpool take on Spurs for a place in the final. Ties take place over two legs for the only time in the competition.
The first leg of the tie between Arsenal and Newcastle and the second leg of Liverpool versus Tottenham Hotspur will be broadcast live on ITV1, in addition to all fixtures being shown on Sky Sports. Fixtures take place over January 7/8 and February 5/6 before the final takes place on March 16 2025.
Liverpool will have hopes of winning a first trophy under Arne Slot by retaining the final title they earned under Jurgen Klopp. They will have been buoyed by their 6-3 victory over Spurs at the weekend.
Cup success for Ange Postecoglou would go some way to alleviating the pressure he is currently under. The Carabao Cup is the last trophy Spurs lifted in 2008 and this season the Lilywhites have seen greater progress than when they were knocked out in the second round last term.
Newcastle were beaten finalists in 2023 and reached the quarter-finals 12 months ago and will also hope to break their trophy duck under Eddie Howe. The Gunners have won just two of their last six outings against the Magpies.
Mikel Arteta is hoping that success in the cup can drive his Arsenal side onto greater success. Speaking last week he explained how it could provide a galvanising effect.
“I think so,” he said. “I fully believe in that: the fact that you are winning and you get into the next round and it creates something different around the team, and that is why these kind of games are so important.
“ It is really helpful. It brings belief, trust, positive energy, touching the cup, and being in the semi-final and beating somebody in the final; it is that energy and it creates the right path to go and do something else, particularly because of the timing and when the competition is played in this country, it gets that momentum going.”
Carabao Cup semi-final fixtures
Arsenal v Newcastle United Tuesday 7 January, 20:00hrs
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool Wednesday 8 January, 20:00hrs
Newcastle United v Arsenal Wednesday 5 February, 20:00hrs
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur Thursday 6 February, 20:00hrs