Carabao Cup draw LIVE: Man Utd face Charlton as Man City and Newcastle also discover quarter-final opponents

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup takes place this evening after Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-2 in the final game of the last 16.

Seven of the eight teams were already known before today and now City join Charlton Athletic, Leicester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves in the next round.

League One’s Charlton are the only non-Premier League side left in the competition having defeated Brighton 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout last night. Also victorious on Wednesday evening were Manchester United, who cruised past Championship leaders Burnley thanks to goals from Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford, and Nottingham Forest with Steve Cooper’s side thrashing Blackburn 4-1.

Elsewhere, Wolves defeated Gillingham, Southampton came from behind to beat Lincoln, and Leicester cruised to victory at MK Dons whilst in the all-Premier League clash, Newcastle defeated Bournemouth to book their place in the next round.

Follow all the updates from the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw with our live blog below

Carabao Cup draw live

• Quarter-final draw takes place around 10.30pm

• Full list of ball numbers for draw

• Man City become final team in the hat after 3-2 win over Liverpool

• Manchester United and Newcastle among Premier League teams through to quarter-final stage

• League One’s Charlton Athletic shocked Brighton on Wednesday night to progress

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:57 , Michael Jones

The Charlton Athletic fans are the real winners from that draw. They’ve got a trip to Old Trafford to look forward to in the New Year.

Manchester United will be pleased, coming up against the League One outfit affords Erik ten Hag an opportunity to give more game time to the fringe players in the squad.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw in full

22:54 , Michael Jones

Manchester United vs Charlton Athletic

Southampton vs Manchester City

Nottingham Forest vs Wolves

Newcastle United vs Leicester City

The quarter-finals will take place during the week commencing 9th of January.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:53 , Michael Jones

Finally, Newcastle United are at St. James’ Park against Leicester City.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:53 , Michael Jones

Nottingham Forest are hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:52 , Michael Jones

Southampton are drawn at home with Manchester City making the trip to St. Marys.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:51 , Michael Jones

Manchester United are out of the pot first. They’ll face Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford!

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:49 , Michael Jones

It’s finally time for the quarter-final draw. Here’s a reminder of which teams are left in the competition:

1. Charlton Athletic

2. Leicester City

3. Manchester United

4. Newcastle United

5. Nottingham Forest

6. Southampton

7. Wolverhampton Wanderers

8. Manchester City

Domestic football back with a bang as Man City edge Liverpool in Carabao Cup thriller

22:47 , Michael Jones

It is a moot point how many of the world’s best managers are found at the World Cup these days but two of the finest were found in the Carabao Cup, shifting attention back to domestic duty in typically compelling fashion. This is not the trophy Pep Guardiola has admitted he needs to complete his time at Manchester City. But, while he dreams of the Champions League, he moved closer to a record fifth League Cup, eliminating the holders Liverpool FC and beating his old nemesis Jurgen Klopp.

It was the night the club game returned with a vengeance, wresting the attention from its international counterpart, suggesting the standards can be higher here, illustrating that many of the sport’s finest forwards were not seen in Qatar in the last month. Three of them scored, in Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Salah, though the match-winner was the only World Cup quarter-finalist to start, in Nathan Ake.

Arguably the evening’s outstanding figure was one of the World Cup’s great underachievers, in Kevin de Bruyne, who set up City’s first and third goals. Having controversially, if correctly, deemed Belgium too old to succeed in Qatar, he looks likelier to secure silverware in the colours of his club.

Domestic football back with a bang as Man City edge Liverpool in Carabao Cup thriller

‘In the first 15 minutes we had real problems'

22:40 , Michael Jones

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he was worried when watching the first 15 minutes of the game as Manchester City looked a class above his team but admitted they managed to get back into the game in spite of the final result.

“We played a formation that we haven’t played for a long time, and we had to change in pretty much our last session.” said Klopp post-match. “You could see that, we needed time to adapt.

“In the first 15 minutes we had real problems and that killed our confidence and conviction a little bit.

“The goals we conceded were completely unnecessary. We had good spells and could have scored more goals as well. It’s a result we have to live with now.

“It was a high-intensity game from both teams, that’s normal. We played a good game but not good enough to beat City tonight. That says something but not everything. It’s just how it is.

“There’s a lot we can build on and we can take into the next games and that’s what we’ll do.”

Reaction from winning goalscorer Nathan Ake

22:33 , Michael Jones

Nathan Ake, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live following Manchester City’s victory saying: “The last week has been a bit strange, people coming back at different times then straight into having to play an intense game against Liverpool and it’s not easy.

“They have top quality players, we should’ve done better with the goals but we manged to score more than them. There are things to improve but for the first game back it was good. It was another top, top ball from Kevin [De Bruyne] and I had to score that one.

“You’ve been away for a month and the national team is different, then suddenly you are straight back in it. Strange but good, as a player you want to be involved in major tournaments like that.”

Andy Robertson speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live

22:28 , Michael Jones

Post match reaction from Andy Robertson who said: “There were positives, creating chances, sometimes we looked good on the ball but there were mistakes as well. It’s our first game back in a long time and it’s not often you’re first game back is against Manchester City.

“We wanted to stay in this cup, we know how much joy it brought us last season. Ultimately disappointing but when we look at the clips we will be able to take positives.

“It’s a good game, both sets of players were out on their feet, we always raise our games against each other. We didn’t start great, go behind, Fabio scored a fabulous goal, we went behind early in the second half, reacted so well, had a couple of chances, then we switched off at a short corner.

“These are things that can’t happen - their changing room will be a lot happier than ours.”

Reaction from Riyad Mahrez

22:25 , Michael Jones

Manchester City goalscorer Riyad Mahrez spoke to Sky Sports after the game saying: “It’s always good to score and to help the team win. Overall we were very good today and deserved to win.

“Everyone came back with a very good mentality and ready to start again. It was a tough opponent to start with.

“We’ve beaten Chelsea and Liverpool [in the Carabao Cup already] so we’ll see [who we get in the next round]. But we’ll take it game by game and concentrate on the next Premier League game, which is the most important one for us at the moment.”

Nathan Ake hits winner to give Man City victory over Liverpool

22:21 , Michael Jones

Nathan Ake headed the winner as Manchester City edged out rivals Liverpool 3-2 in a five-goal thriller to claim a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Dutchman turned in a superb Kevin De Bruyne cross just before the hour at the Etihad Stadium to put City ahead for a third and decisive time in absorbing contest on Thursday.

Liverpool had cancelled out earlier City goals from the prolific Erling Haaland and Riyad Mahrez through Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah respectively.

City’s victory ended Liverpool’s reign as holders and kept Pep Guardiola’s side on course for a fifth victory in the competition in six seasons.

Nathan Ake hits winner to give Man City victory over Liverpool

Howard Webb keen to bring more ex-players into refereeing

22:17 , Michael Jones

Premier League referees’ chief Howard Webb is keen to look at how more ex-professional players in England can be enticed into officiating.

Much was made of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak’s amateur playing background as praise was heaped on him for his confident performance in last Sunday’s World Cup final.

Webb, who mentored Marciniak earlier in his career, believes making a greater effort to entice ex-pros into refereeing could help raise standards and help keep the production line of officials going.

Howard Webb keen to bring more ex-players into refereeing

Domestic football back with a bang as Man City edge Liverpool in Carabao Cup thriller

22:13 , Michael Jones

It is a moot point how many of the world’s best managers are found at the World Cup these days but two of the finest were found in the Carabao Cup, shifting attention back to domestic duty in typically compelling fashion. This is not the trophy Pep Guardiola has admitted he needs to complete his time at Manchester City. But, while he dreams of the Champions League, he moved closer to a record fifth League Cup, eliminating the holders Liverpool FC and beating his old nemesis Jurgen Klopp.

It was the night the club game returned with a vengeance, wresting the attention from its international counterpart, suggesting the standards can be higher here, illustrating that many of the sport’s finest forwards were not seen in Qatar in the last month. Three of them scored, in Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Mohamed Salah, though the match-winner was the only World Cup quarter-finalist to start, in Nathan Ake.

Arguably the evening’s outstanding figure was one of the World Cup’s great underachievers, in Kevin de Bruyne, who set up City’s first and third goals. Having controversially, if correctly, deemed Belgium too old to succeed in Qatar, he looks likelier to secure silverware in the colours of his club.

Domestic football back with a bang as Man City edge Liverpool in Carabao Cup thriller

Marcus Rashford maintains flying form on return as Manchester United see off Burnley

22:09 , Michael Jones

If it is a time of year for Christians to celebrate, Christian Eriksen has had little to savour this month. He must have imagined his first game of December would be in the last 16 of the World Cup for Denmark, not the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for Manchester United. But, after the anti-climax of underachievement on the global stage, he at least set United on the path to a less prestigious trophy. He may have dreamt of facing Argentina; instead he struck against Burnley.

A scorer of three goals in Qatar, Marcus Rashford maintained his fine form, capping a 50-yard solo run with a strike to see off the Clarets and life after Cristiano Ronaldo began with a comfortable win. With three of the supposed big six already out and another set to follow on Thursday, United have reasons to believe their debut season under Erik ten Hag can bring glory.

They eased back into action and if others will be searching for a blend between those who have had five weeks off, those who were unused, underused or unsuccessful in the World Cup and those who ventured deep into the tournament, Ten Hag found a formula. He started with five of his World Cup contingent, including three quarter-finalists: Rashford scored, Bruno Fernandes starred with some incisive passing and Casemiro strolled through the game, slotting in at centre-back in the absence of the ill Harry Maguire. He conjured a goal-line clearance after the error-prone, erratic Martin Dubravka came for, and missed, a cross.

Marcus Rashford maintains flying form on return as Manchester United see off Burnley

What are the other Carabao Cup key dates?

22:04 , Michael Jones

Quarter-finals: Week commencing 9th January 2023

Semi-finals: First-leg - week commencing 23rd January; second-leg - week commencing 30th January

Final: Sunday February 26th 2023

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

22:01 , Michael Jones

The draw for the next round of the Carabao Cup is coming up at around 10:30pm. Here are the teams left in the competition and what number they’ve been allocated for the draw.

1. Charlton Athletic

2. Leicester City

3. Manchester United

4. Newcastle United

5. Nottingham Forest

6. Southampton

7. Wolverhampton Wanderers

8. Manchester City

FT Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:58 , Michael Jones

Full-time: Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:55 , Michael Jones

90+4 mins: Manchester City hold on! They’ve knocked the Carabao Cup holders out of the competition in a barnstorming game under the lights at the Etihad Stadium.

There were goals for Erling Haaland, Fabio Carvalho, Riyad Mahrez and Mo Salah but it was Nathan Ake’s headed effort that decided the game.

Man City reach the quarter-finals and go into the draw for the next round which is coming up shortly.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:49 , Michael Jones

90 mins: There’s four minutes of added time to play. Keita slips a pass into the penalty area for Nunez but Stefan Ortega flies off his line and pounces on the ball before the Liverpool forward can get to it.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:47 , Michael Jones

87 mins: Bernardo Silva comes on to replace Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan for the final few minutes of the game. There’s three minutes plus a couple for stoppage time to go.

Can Liverpool score again and force the match into penalties?

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:43 , Michael Jones

84 mins: Shot! Man City are piling on the pressure. The feed the ball out to Mahrez on the right side. Mahrez weaves into the box before cutting it back to De Bruyne who smokes a shot towards goal and sees it bocked by Fabinho.

The ball comes loose to Foden who lets fly with a shot of his own but Kelleher is on hand to turn it wide.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:41 , Michael Jones

81 mins: City burst forward on the counter attack with De Bruyne in possession. He cuts the ball across to Mahrez who lays it off to Foden but the substitute has it nicked away on the edge of the box.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:38 , Michael Jones

78 mins: Oh my. Rodri and Fabinho collide in the middle of the pitch after a challenge from the Liverpool midfielder. Fabinho wraps his legs around Rodri and hooks him to ground.

The Man City squares up to Fabinho and pushes him over causing a bunch of players to swarm the two and separate them.

The referee gets control of the situation and both players are shown yellow cards.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:33 , Michael Jones

75 mins: He’s been preparing a couple of subs for a while and now Pep Guardiola calls for reinforcements. Phil Foden and Jack Grealish both come on replacing Cole Palmer and Erling Haaland.

15 minutes or so to play and City maintain a slender grip on this game.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:31 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Chance! Liverpool should be level. Joe Gomez threads the ball down the line and slips Darwin Nunez in behind. Nunez carries the ball into the box and looks to square it.

There’s no-one around to receive the ball so Nunez has to shoot and he hooks his effort wide of the far post!

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:29 , Michael Jones

70 mins: 20 minutes to play and Jurgen Klopp brings on his fifth and final substitute. Naby Keita replaces Thiago Alcantara. Can Liverpool cmoe from behind a third time to find an equaliser?

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:28 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Nathan Ake and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain come together inside the Man City penalty area and the Liverpool midfielder hits the deck.

The referee lets play go on and Liverpool’s penalty appeal is turned down. There’s no VAR to overturn the decision either. It seemed like a 50/50 challenge so that’s not an egregious error from the official.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:24 , Michael Jones

64 mins: Chance! Mo Salah flicks the ball into Jordan Henderson on the right wing and the Liverpool captain floats a cross into the middle of the box.

The ball is flicked over to the left side of the area where Andy Roberston arrives and smokes a first time shot high over the crossbar!

Man City 3-2 Liverpool

21:21 , Michael Jones

61 mins: Manchester City’s first change comes now as John Stones replaces Manuel Akanji. City are almost in on goal again after Mahrez flicks an aerial ball into the box.

Haaland is hovering around dangerously but Kelleher beats him to the ball and smothers it.

GOAL! Man City 3-2 Liverpool (Ake, 58’)⚽️

21:18 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Another one!

Man City play a short corner before giving the ball back to Kevin De Bruyne. He whips a cross into the six-yard area where Nathan Ake leaps above everyone else and powers a header into the back of the net!

Man City 2-2 Liverpool

21:17 , Michael Jones

57 mins: Jurgen Klopp looks to the bench once again and introduces Jordan Henderson into proceedings to replace Harvey Elliott in midfield.

City bring the ball down the other end and win a corner.

Man City 2-2 Liverpool

21:14 , Michael Jones

54 mins: That’s a nice cross from Cole Palmer. The young Manchester City forward gets into space on the left wing and lifts a high ball into the box.

Haaland is waiting for it but Phillips sneaks ahead of him and nods the ball over to Robertson who clears the danger.

Man City 2-2 Liverpool

21:11 , Michael Jones

51 mins: Mo Salah now has three goals against Man City this season and each goal has come in a different competition - the Community Shield, Premier League and now the Carabao Cup.

Liverpool have had just two shots on target and they’ve scored two goals.

GOAL! Man City 2-2 Liverpool (Salah, 48’)⚽️

21:07 , Michael Jones

48 mins: Immediate response! Liverpool make use of Man City’s high line and slide the ball down the left wing where Darwin Nunez collects it on his way in behind the defence.

He brings the ball right into the penalty area before playing a blind pass back to Mo Salah who is switched on enough to turn the ball into the back of the net!

Just one minute and 20 seconds separated the two goals.

GOAL! Man City 2-1 Liverpool (Mahrez, 47’)⚽️

21:05 , Michael Jones

47 mins: City lead again! Thiago Alcantara isn’t expecting the ball in midfield and a heavy touch gives the ball to Ilkay Gundogan who lays it off to Rodri.

Rodri floats a diagonal pass into the box where Riyad Mahrez brings the ball down with an exceptional touch that takes the ball inside of Andy Roberston.

Now in space Mahrez shoots and fires the ball into the back of the net.

Second half: Man City 1-1 Liverpool

21:04 , Michael Jones

45 mins: Jurgen Klopp has decided that a bit more experience is needed if Liverpool are to get through this game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho come on to replace Stefan Bajcetic and Fabio Carvalho.

The Reds get the game restarted.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

21:00 , Michael Jones

The draw for the next round of the Carabao Cup takes place at the conclusion of Manchester City vs Liverpool.

Seven teams are already through with Charlton Athletic the only non-Premier League side still in the competition after they defeated Brighton in a penalty shootout last night.

Also through are Manchester United and Newcastle who will both have eyes on winning this competition.

Fifa investigating Salt Bae’s ‘undue access’ to pitch after World Cup final

20:55 , Michael Jones

Fifa is investigating how celebrity chef Salt Bae and others gained “undue access” to the pitch after the World Cup final in Qatar.

Salt Bae, a Turkish chef and restaurateur whose real name is Nusret Gokce, was pictured holding and kissing the World Cup trophy alongside Argentina players after their win over France.

The Fifa World Cup Trophy, which is made of solid gold and depicts two figures holding up the globe, can only be touched and held by a select group of people. This includes former winners and heads of state, according to Fifa.

Football fans were infuriated after Mr Gokce, who is also a social media personality, was seen “grabbing” Argentina’s star player Lionel Messi on the pitch.

Fifa investigating Salt Bae’s ‘undue access’ to pitch after World Cup final

HT Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:51 , Michael Jones

Erling Haaland capitalised on Man City’s early dominance to send them in front before Fabio Carvalho equalised for Liverpool.

Half-time: Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:47 , Michael Jones

45+2 mins: Cole Palmer is confident enough to bring the ball into the box and take a shot for Man City but he doesn’t catch it right and fizzes his chance over the crossbar.

At the other end Andy Robertson swings a free kick into the box and picks out Darwin Nunez who sidefoots a volley wide of the back post.

The whistle goes to end the first half and the teams head into the break on level terms.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:45 , Michael Jones

44 mins: There is no VAR in this match as a way of levelling the playing field for the lower league teams still in the competition who don’t have access to it.

But, as these are two Premier League side used to playing with the video checks they are getting caught out with runners in behind that are close to the offside line.

Rodri strikes one from range but hooks his effort wide of the target.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:43 , Michael Jones

41 mins: Shot! Joe Gomez steps into midfield with the ball and dinks one over the top of the Manchester City defence. Darwin Nunez makes a run between the lines and brings the ball under control before touching it into the box.

City are waiting for the offside flag but it doesn’t come and Nunez blazes his effort across the face of goal and sends it wide!

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:39 , Michael Jones

38 mins: James Milner has an issue. He gingerly walks off the pitch after removing the captain’s armband. Nat Phillips comes on to replace him for Liverpool.

Stefan Bajcetic has been shown the first yellow card of the game for a tangle with Cole Palmer a couple of minutes earlier.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:37 , Michael Jones

35 mins: Save! City come down the right wing and Riyad Mahrez nods the ball up to Kevin De Bruyne who drives it into the right side of the box.

Ilkay Gundogan arrives on the opposite side of the penalty area and is fed the ball for a first time shot. He nails it at goal but Kelleher drops low and somehow keeps it out with his left leg!

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:35 , Michael Jones

32 mins: Liverpool have gotten themselves up to speed now. They’re pushing up the pitch and trying to close down the ball quickly.

Rodri and Carvalho have a tussle with the Man City midfielder towering over the Liverpool forward who holds his ground. There’s not too much in it but it’s a sign of the heated nature that the contest is growing into.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:31 , Michael Jones

29 mins: City work the ball quickly across the backline and feed is across to Nathan Ake who steps into midfield. James Milner commits to the press but arrives late and Ake sends the ball past him up to Cole Palmer.

Kevin De Bruyne then goes past on the overlap and is given the ball but his cross towards Erling Haaland comes too close to Caoimhin Kelleher who plucks it out of the air.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:27 , Michael Jones

26 mins: Man City’s free kick comes into the penalty area but Liverpool scrappily deal with it.

The Reds then have to contend with a City corner that Riyad Mahrez pulls back to Cole Palmer. Palmer shoots but his effort is easily charged down and cleared.

Man City 1-1 Liverpool

20:25 , Michael Jones

23 mins: Close! Palmer takes on Milner and twists his way into space on the left wing before flicking a cross into the middle of the box. The ball drops over Gundogan and almost falls for Haaland but he misses the ball with a dive towards the dropping pass.

Rico Lewis then recovers the loose ball and wins a free kick thanks to a foul from Fabio Carvalho.

GOAL! Man City 1-1 Liverpool (Carvalho, 20’)⚽️

20:20 , Michael Jones

20 mins: Liverpool are back in the game! Joel Matip goes on an enterprising run down the right side and gets to the tip of the box before slipping the ball to James Milner.

Milner is free inside the penalty area and spots Fabio Carvalho in space. He sends the ball over to the youngster who guides his shot calmly into the bottom corner.

All square.

Man City 1-0 Liverpool

20:19 , Michael Jones

18 mins: As City look to regain control Rodri flicks the ball over to Riyad Mahrez out on the right side.

He looks to cut onto his left foot and get into the penalty area but the combined force of Andy Robertson and Fabio Carvalho force him to the byline where he knocks the ball out of play.

Man City 1-0 Liverpool

20:16 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Off the post! Liverpool’s spell of possession almost pays off as the ball comes out to Harvey Elliott on the right side. He carries the ball into the final third before slipping a pass into the box for Darwin Nunez.

Aymeric Laporte thinks the forward is offside but the flag doesn’t go up and Nunez turns his first time effort onto the nearest post!

The ball bounces behind and then the assistant referee raises the flag for an offside.

Man City 1-0 Liverpool

20:15 , Michael Jones

13 mins: These opening stages have all gone Manchester City’s way. Pep Guardiola’s men have settled into their rhythm and intensity quicker than Liverpool who still look off the pace.

The Reds are having a decent period on the ball now though.

GOAL! Man City 1-0 Liverpool (Haaland, 10’)⚽️

20:12 , Michael Jones

10 mins: There it is! It’s taken Erling Haaland just 10 minutes to open the scoring. Cole Palmer is given the ball on the left wing and sends it inside to Ilkay Gundogan.

Kevin De Bruyne makes a run out wide ahead of Palmer and Gundogan feeds the ball up to him. De Bruyne swings a cross into the middle of the box where Haaland leaps in front of Joe Gomez and toes the ball into the back of the net on the volley.

Man City 0-0 Liverpool

20:11 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Manchester City are getting the better of Liverpool at the minute. Aymeric Laporte floats a cross field pass up and over to Cole Palmer making a run down the left wing.

Palmer brings the ball into the box and pulls it back to Kevin De Bruyne. He shoots but bounces his effort into the deck and Caoimhin Kellerher gets solidly in behind it.

Man City 0-0 Liverpool

20:07 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Chance! City should be in front. Erling Haaland makes a run in behind the Liverpool high line as Manuel Akanji chips the ball over the top.

Haaland recovers the loose ball and carries it to the right side of the box before squaring it across to Cole Palmer. Palmer shoots first time but fizzes his effort wide of the right-hand post.

Man City 0-0 Liverpool

20:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Six weeks ago Haaland would have burried that early chance but the World Cup break seems to have dulled his clinical edge ever so slightly.

At the other end of the pitch Darwin Nunez is slipped into the left channel and lets fly with a shot but Aymeric Laporte gets across quickly and puts the block in.

Good start to the game this.

Kick off: Man City 0-0 Liverpool

20:02 , Michael Jones

Erling Haaland gets the match started. City work the ball over to Nathan Ake at left-back who feeds the ball into Illkay Gundogan. The midfielder spins away from Stefan Bajcetic before sliding a through ball in behind the Liverpool defence.

Haaland collects the ball then chips Caoimhin Kelleher before landing his shot on the top of the goal!

Man City vs Liverpool

19:56 , Michael Jones

There’s a light show happening at the Etihad before the players make their way out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. A reminder that in the Carabao Cup there is no extra-time so if the game ends in a draw it’ll go straight to a penalty shootout.

Kelleher shines in shootouts

19:50 , Michael Jones

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been vital to Liverpool’s defensive stability. He has saved more penalties for Liverpool in shootouts (six) than any other goalkeeper in the club’s history.

Kelleher saved three penalties in the last round against Derby County, and has played eight times for the Reds in this competition, winning four shootouts in the process.

A strong defence

19:46 , Michael Jones

Liverpool have kept seven clean sheets in their last eight Carabao Cup matches, with only Leicester City – who scored three at Anfield on this date last year – finding the net in that sequence.

Carabao Cup quarter-final draw

19:43 , Michael Jones

The draw for the next round of the Carabao Cup takes place at the conclusion of Manchester City vs Liverpool.

Seven teams are already through with Charlton Athletic the only non-Premier League side still in the competition after they defeated Brighton in a penalty shootout last night.

Also through are Manchester United and Newcastle who will both have eyes on winning this competition.

Man City vs Liverpool

19:39 , Michael Jones

The warm-ups are underway at the Etihad Stadium. Both managers have named a mix of experience and youth in the starting XIs so it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top tonight.

Klopp vs Guardiola

19:35 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp has won 12 of his meetings with Pep Guardiola during his career as a manager in all competitions whilst losing on nine other occasions.

Who will come out on top tonight?

Marcus Rashford maintains flying form on return as Manchester United see off Burnley

19:31 , Michael Jones

If it is a time of year for Christians to celebrate, Christian Eriksen has had little to savour this month. He must have imagined his first game of December would be in the last 16 of the World Cup for Denmark, not the last 16 of the Carabao Cup for Manchester United. But, after the anti-climax of underachievement on the global stage, he at least set United on the path to a less prestigious trophy. He may have dreamt of facing Argentina; instead he struck against Burnley.

A scorer of three goals in Qatar, Marcus Rashford maintained his fine form, capping a 50-yard solo run with a strike to see off the Clarets and life after Cristiano Ronaldo began with a comfortable win. With three of the supposed big six already out and another set to follow on Thursday, United have reasons to believe their debut season under Erik ten Hag can bring glory.

They eased back into action and if others will be searching for a blend between those who have had five weeks off, those who were unused, underused or unsuccessful in the World Cup and those who ventured deep into the tournament, Ten Hag found a formula. He started with five of his World Cup contingent, including three quarter-finalists: Rashford scored, Bruno Fernandes starred with some incisive passing and Casemiro strolled through the game, slotting in at centre-back in the absence of the ill Harry Maguire. He conjured a goal-line clearance after the error-prone, erratic Martin Dubravka came for, and missed, a cross.

Marcus Rashford maintains flying form on return as Manchester United see off Burnley

Lijnders talks facing Man City

19:26 , Michael Jones

Jurgen Klopp’s assistant coach, Pep Lijnders, took the pre-match press conference this week and spoke about taking on Manchester City for the third time this season.

“I think it’s never a boring game against them. It was never a boring game, both teams will put on a great show, that’s for sure.” said Lijnders.

“We know [that] against them we need to be 100 per cent concentrated on the things we have to do. We need to be really difficult to play against, we need to be really good and efficient in the moments we have the ball.

“We will try and they will try. It’s a strange situation coming back from a World Cup and having this fixture straight [away].

“It’s [the same] for them and for us, but what I said, we will try and the team already proved in the past whoever [our] players are on the pitch, that they will make it a top show.”

Will Salah score again?

19:21 , Michael Jones

Mohamed Salah has scored in nine of his last 15 outings against City.

Salah could become the first Reds player ever to score versus tonight’s opponents in three different competitions in the same season.

Milner’s longevity

19:16 , Michael Jones

Only James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino remain in the Liverpool squad from the last League Cup meeting between the teams, which came in the final almost seven years ago.

Guardiola on welcoming his players back from the World Cup

19:10 , Michael Jones

“Step by step they come back,” said Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola who talking about reintegrating the players who were at the World Cup.

“Today six players come back and it’s the first time. We are happy they are back and generally they played really well.

“They played a unique experience. If they come back as good as possible they will try to live another experience in four years’ time in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“The players at the World Cup are in better condition than the ones that were here. Sergio Gomez /Erling Haaland /Riyad Mahrez/Cole Palmer they are missing a little bit.

“They competed every day and we had holidays. That’s why it was so important to maintain the rhythm. We had one month off.”

Man City vs Liverpool team changes

19:05 , Michael Jones

Pep Guardiola makes four changes to the Manchester City team that lined up against Chelsea in the third round of the Carabao Cup. Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake drop into the back line ahead of Ruben Dias and Sergio Gomez whilst Kevin De Bruyne starts in midfield and Erling Haaland takes Julian Alvarez’s spot at the head of the forward line.

There are also a bunch of changes for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Caoimhin Kelleher, Stefan Bajcetic and Fabio Carvalho are the only players to remain in the line-up from the ones that faced Derby County in the previous round. Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez both start for the Reds.

Man City vs Liverpool line-ups

19:01 , Michael Jones

Man City XI: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Haaland, Palmer

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Milner, Gomez, Matip, Robertson, Bajcetic, Thiago, Elliott, Carvalho, Salah, Nunez

Player welfare must be key consideration in new calendar, union claims

18:55 , Michael Jones

World football’s players’ union Fifpro has warned of the “urgent” need to protect player welfare in a new schedule for the international game.

The threat of player burnout around the winter World Cup in Qatar has highlighted the issues to consider as a new calendar of competitions is negotiated to replace the current deal which ends in the summer of 2024.

Fifpro’s report on player workload ahead of the tournament highlighted the number of matches played by top-level players, many of them back-to-back without a rest period, while the World Cup itself began just seven days after a club game for some Premier League players and ended eight days before the Boxing Day fixtures.

Player welfare must be key consideration in new calendar, union claims

Guardiola unsure if players will be fit

18:50 , Michael Jones

With the World Cup interrupting the middle of the domestic season for the first time, Pep Guardiola says it will be a new experience to see what condition his players are in after such an intense tournament and fast turnaround.

“It is the first time in my career so I don’t know,” he said. “I think all the managers are the same.

“I played sometimes after holidays, a few training sessions and then played Super Cups in Spain for example. I remember they were at the World Cup, had holidays and after two or three days arrived and had the Super Cup.

“They came fresh [in the mind], they know the routines and everything.  In the middle of the season after the World Cup and the good moments and bad moments, I don’t know how they are going to come back. If they will come back fit or fat. We will see.”

Guardiola believes players will readjust after World Cup disappointments

18:45 , Michael Jones

Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola, thinks that the players in his squad who left the Qatar World Cup empty handed will be able to put aside their disappointments and focus on the rest of the season fairly quickly.

“My first feeling is they will be okay,” the City boss said in his pre-match press conference. “What I heard was that the World Cup was perfect because they felt the pressure. but not too much.

“It was not like playing in England or Italy, Qatar was more calm they told me and they were more relaxed. That’s why I think they will be okay.

“People have the ability to forget the good things or the bad things quickly and start again. But at the same time, I don’t know, it’s the first time so we will see.

“I talked with the guys that came back and spoke with them individually to see how they feel. They have started to train and we’ll see how they behave and how they are and after we will take a decision. This is the point.”

Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings at the start of Manchester United’s post-Ronaldo era

18:40 , Michael Jones

A subject went unaddressed in Erik ten Hag’s programme notes. Someone went unmentioned. There was an 81-word paragraph on the following page; on the off-chance anyone who had turned up at Old Trafford under the illusion that Cristiano Ronaldo still played for Manchester United, it alerted them to his departure, if not the circumstances of perhaps the most explosive exit since Roy Keane’s in 2005. The brevity was telling.

It was scarcely a tribute but then perhaps Ronaldo’s final act at United was to mean that, if not quite airbrushed from history, he was certainly consigned to the past. Supporters chorused for the Glazers to go; there were no nostalgic chants of “Viva Ronaldo”. Instead, life after Ronaldo began with an illustration of how United can benefit from the departure of the scorer of 819 goals in the most prolific career of all.

Beating Burnley was expected; home ties against lower-league opponents ought to be won. But liberated individuals and a more fluid team offered a glimpse of the type of football Ten Hag wants. Ronaldo’s second coming became a lost year for United. If, for some, the aim is to rewind the clock to rediscover form they showed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, now Ten Hag can shape a future.

Bruno Fernandes pulls strings at the start of Manchester United’s post-Ronaldo era

Man City vs Liverpool

18:35 , Michael Jones

The two teams have already met twice this season, with Liverpool winning on both occasions, in the FA Community Shield and Premier League.

Will the Reds make it three from three tonight?

Man City mission ‘incomplete’ without Champions League win says Pep Guardiola

18:30 , Michael Jones

Pep Guardiola has admitted that his time at Manchester City will “not be complete” if they do not win the Champions League.

Guardiola has won nine major trophies, including four Premier League titles, as City manager but is yet to bring Europe’s top club prize to the Etihad Stadium. The Catalan won the competition twice at Barcelona, failed to do so at Bayern Munich, and finishing runners-up in 2021 is his best effort in six full seasons at City.

Guardiola, who extended his contract to the end of the 2024/25 season last month, insists he is determined to keep on trying.

“It’s not the only one, but I admit it’s the trophy we want, and of course my period here will not be complete if we don’t win it,” said the 51-year-old.

Pep Guardiola: Man City mission ‘incomplete’ without Champions League win

A Liverpool milestone

18:25 , Michael Jones

Liverpool are aiming to record their 150th victory in the history of the League Cup when they visit Manchester City this evening.

The current holders of the trophy can reach the milestone with a win in the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at the Etihad Stadium against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Pep Guardiola will not tone down touchline reactions in emotional moments

18:20 , Michael Jones

Pep Guardiola claims he cannot be expected to act like a statue on the touchline against Liverpool.

The Manchester City manager recognises the importance of behaving responsibly in light of the two clubs’ attempts to defuse tensions in their growing rivalry.

Ahead of Thursday’s Carabao Cup clash at the Etihad Stadium, senior figures at both of the north-west powerhouses have made a joint plea to supporters to guard against unacceptable behaviour.

This comes after Liverpool’s win over City at Anfield in October was overshadowed by a number of unsavoury incidents both on and off the field.

Pep Guardiola will not tone down touchline reactions in emotional moments

Fears for players’ physical and mental health after World Cup

18:15 , Michael Jones

The packed schedule around the World Cup will add to pressure on players’ physical and mental health, according to global union Fifpro.

Manchester City return to Premier League action next week with 16 of their players having played a combined 5,180 minutes and covered 486 kilometres in Qatar, the PA news agency’s player burnout study showed.

Arsenal will have to resume their title bid without striker Gabriel Jesus, who was injured in Brazil’s final group game against Cameroon. That followed pre-tournament injuries that ruled out the likes of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Bayern Munich’s ex-Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, and Fifpro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann insists proper rest periods are desperately needed.

While not referring to specific players, Baer-Hoffmann told PA: “You have a scientifically-proven correlation between the kind of overload the players are going through and the risk of injuries and we have – especially amongst those elite players – a seemingly-high prevalence of certain injuries that are common when the body is not properly recovered.

Fears for players’ physical and mental health after World Cup

What time is the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw tonight?

18:10 , Michael Jones

The Carabao Cup fourth round takes place this week as domestic football returns following the World Cup, with a host of top clubs in action.

The standout tie is Manchester City - who beat Chelsea in the third round - hosting Liverpool as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp meet in the League Cup for the very first time.

Despite the lack of game time in recent weeks, it was the Premier League sides who all advanced to the quarter-finals on Tuesday night. Wolves defeated Gillingham, Southampton came from behind to beat Lincoln, and Leicester cruised to victory at MK Dons. In the all-Premier League clash, Newcastle defeated Bournemouth to book their place in the next round.

Manchester United returned to action on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory over Championship leaders Burnley, Nottingham Forest thrashed Blackburn, and League 1 Charlton caused a huge upset as they knocked out Brighton on penalties.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the draw:

What time is the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw tonight?

Man City vs Liverpool prediction

18:05 , Michael Jones

Assuming there’s all the football quality but none of the desperation which goes with having to not lose these encounters in league play, it could be a very topsy-turvy, eventful fixture.

Man City 3-2 Liverpool.

Man City vs Liverpool predicted line-ups

18:00 , Michael Jones

Man City XI: Ortega, Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, S Gomez, Gundogan, Palmer, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Milner, Matip, J Gomez, Robertson, Elliott, Bajcetic, Thiago, Salah, Firmino, Oxlade-Chamberlain

What is the early team news?

17:55 , Michael Jones

It remains to be seen how many World Cup players for both sides feature, but those who exited at the group stage will have had time off already and could certainly be involved.

That means Kevin de Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan for City, for example, and Darwin Nunez for the Reds.

The latter will be without the still-injured Diogo Jota, while Luis Diaz is also out after needing surgery following his own attempted comeback. Curtis Jones is a doubt but Joel Matip returned to fitness during the mid-winter break.

Erling Haaland and Mo Salah are expected to feature at some point but Julian Alvarez is on leave following his World Cup win with Argentina.

How to watch Man City vs Liverpool

17:50 , Michael Jones

Tonight’s Carabao Cup match kicks off at 8pm GMT on Thursday 22 December 2022.

Man City vs Liverpool will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Ultra HD. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

Manchester City vs Liverpool

16:12 , Michael Jones

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the final fixture in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup as Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Seven of the eight teams to reach the quarter-final stage are already known with one of either City or Liverpool joining League One’s Charlton Athletic and the Premier League’s Leicester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves in the next round.

Kick off for this one will be at 8pm and both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp will use the game as an opportunity to raise the fitness levels of the players who didn’t feature in the World Cup.

That means, the likes of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah could get a run out this evening ahead of the Premier League’s return on Boxing Day.

We’ll bring you all the team news, build-up and live action from the Etihad Stadium as Man City face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.