Carabao Cup: Man United Bag Easiest Last-Eight Draw

• As Man City Stop Defending Champ, Liverpool

The quarter-final pairings of the 2022/23 Carabao Cup have been released after Manchester City knocked defending champions Liverpool out of the competition in an encounter that had James Milner’s injury being of greater concern to Coach Jurgen Klopp than the defeat.

Coming on the heels of the 40 days break for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, domestic football returned with a bang at the Etihad Stadium as City edged past their great rivals, Liverpool 3-2 to secure a place in the last eight rounds.

Nathan Ake’s header tipped a thrilling contest the way of Pep Guardiola’s men, on a night that Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne all shone like million stars.

Haaland fired City into an early lead with his 24th goal of the season, only for Fabio Carvalho to draw Liverpool level. Riyad Mahrez restored the home side’s advantage early in the second half, but Salah equalised within a minute for 2-2.

City, though, would have the final say, De Bruyne picking out Ake to secure a rousing win for the Premier League champions, although the Reds were left to rue a trio of missed chances from Darwin Nunez, as their defence of the trophy came to an end.

With the Merseyside deprived the opportunity to continue in their title defence, the quarter-final draws indicate there could be a ‘giant killing’ to come in the next round as a team from League One continues in the last eight mix

By the draws, Manchester United got the easiest fixture with a home tie against League One’s Charlton Athletic, while Southampton, popularly called ‘The Saints’ will have their hands full playing host to Manchester City as the St Mary’s stadium.

Nottingham Forest will likely have an edge a Wolves side who have won more matches in the league cup than the Premier League this season, while in the final match, Newcastle, who are on the hunt for their first trophy under Eddie Howe, will be the favourite at home against Leicester City.

The quarter-final games are scheduled to be played during the week commencing 9th January 2023 and below are all the fixtures:
Jan 9 – 12: Manchester United vs Charlton
Jan 9 – 12: Southampton vs Manchester City
Jan 9 – 12: Nottingham Forest vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jan 9 – 12: Newcastle United vs Leicester City