Liverpool v West Ham United
Carabao Cup quarter-final, Anfield, Wednesday 20 December 2023, 8pm GMT
West Ham United head to Merseyside in search for a place in the Carabao Cup last four.
The Irons will have to get past Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Wednesday evening in order to progress through the quarter-finals.
David Moyes’ men booked their place in the last eight of the tournament thanks to an impressive 3-1 victory over London rivals Arsenal in early November.
Liverpool, meanwhile, defeated AFC Bournemouth 2-1 in the fourth round.
Tickets...
West Ham United's allocation of 6,000 tickets sold out to Bondholders, Away Scheme Members and Season Ticket Holders with 9+ Points.
Official coaches depart from Pudding Mill Lane DLR station at 11am and Rush Green Training Ground at 11.45am.
Travel…
Travelling by train is the quickest way to reach Liverpool from London, with trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street taking around three hours on Wednesday, with trains departing approximately every 30 minutes.
Supporters should note, however, that there will not be a return train service available following the conclusion of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final, so an alternative travel method or overnight stay will be required.
From Lime Street, bus service 917 departs from Commutation Row in the City Centre and takes around 15 minutes to reach Anfield. Fans can use the return service from Walton Lane after the match.
From Lime Street, bus service 917 departs from Commutation Row in the City Centre and takes around 15 minutes to reach Anfield. Fans can use the return service from Walton Lane after the match.
Alternatively, from Liverpool City Centre, take the 26 from Liverpool ONE bus station or 17 from Queen Square Bus Station directly to the ground.
If driving, there are paid parking options within walking distance of Anfield at St Domingo Car Park, Prior Road and The Dockers Club. The quickest route from London is to take the M6 up to Warrington, and then join the M62 westbound into Liverpool.
How To Follow…
West Ham United’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool has been selected for broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sky Sports.
You can follow the action via our live blog on whufc.com and our app and across our social media channels. We will also have highlights and exclusive reaction for you after the final whistle on our website and social media.
Live audio commentary will be available in the UK on BBC Radio 5 Live and worldwide on our official website and app.
Carabao Cup rules…
Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie will be settled on the night at Anfield.
In the event that the scores remain level after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to penalties and there will be no extra-time played.
Before that, each manager can name nine substitutes, of whom five can be used. Each club is permitted a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions, excluding half-time.
Team News…
Michail Antonio remains the only injury absentee for West Ham United as the forward continues his recovery from a setback sustained on international duty with Jamaica.
Alphonse Areola has recovered from a wrist injury enough to take a place in the matchday squad, with the Frenchman on the bench for Sunday’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Thiago Alcantara is still absent for Liverpool with a hip issue, while Joel Matip has sustained a serious knee injury that is expected to rule him out for the remainder of the season.
Left-back Andrew Robertson and Portuguese forward Diogo Joto are nearing a return to action but Wednesday’s cup clash could come too soon for the duo.
Opposition…
It seems to be a case of normal service being resumed for Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp.
Even amidst the disappointment that was the majority of last season for the Reds, Liverpool still ended the campaign on an eleven-game unbeaten run, form that saw the side finish fifth in the Premier League. In Klopp’s own words: “Imagine we were more our normal selves, which we absolutely will be next season. We will be a contender again.”
The first half of the 2023/24 season suggests that is certainly the case for the Merseyside outfit, who have just lost once in the Premier League this campaign and find themselves competing for the English game's biggest prize.
Suggestions of a midfield rebuild in the summer saw the likes of James Milner, Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain depart at the end of last season, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai joining from Brighton & Hove Albion and RB Leipzig respectively. As captain Jordan Henderson and Brazilian Fabinho also moved on to Saudi Arabia, Liverpool followed up by adding Japan international Wataru Endō and Netherlands international Ryan Gravenberch to complete their summer transfer spend.
Optimism certainly appears renewed at Anfield. While the side missed out on Champions League football they, like the Hammers, feature in this season’s UEFA Europa League and are through to the knock-out rounds. It remains the only trophy the Reds are yet to win under their current German manager.
Competing on all fronts once again, it seems Liverpool are setting a course for the very summit.
Previous Meetings…
West Ham United and the Reds have met on five previous occasions in the League Cup, with the Irons coming out on top in a pair of fourth round ties.
The Hammers secured a 2-1 win over Liverpool in the 1971/72 season, while a 4-1 win was earned at the Boleyn Ground in the 1988/89 campaign.
The two clubs also contested the 1981 final, which Liverpool won following a replay.
Of course, David Moyes’ side have already visited Anfield in Premier League action this season, falling to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Klopp’s side.
Match Officials…
Referee: Tim Robinson
Assistant Referees: Edward Smart and Nick Greenhalgh
Fourth Official: Anthony Taylor
Tim Robinson has been selected to referee West Ham United’s Carabao Cup quarter-final at Liverpool.
The official from West Sussex takes charge in the Carabao Cup for the third time this campaign, having refereed Liverpool’s third round win over Leicester City and Chelsea’s fourth round victory against Blackburn Rovers.
Robinson also took charge of the EFL League One play-off final last season, as Sheffield Wednesday beat Barnsley 1-0 after extra time at Wembley Stadium.
The official as promoted to the Select Group 1 of officials for this campaign, having refereed his first Premier League game in December 2019.
Click through here for more information on this Wednesday’s match officials.
