The Carabao Cup semifinals are underway as Chelsea were able to overturn their first-leg defeat to Championship side Middlesbrough. Liverpool are yet to play their second leg but left it late to come from behind to beat Premier League rivals Fulham 2-1.
Passage into the final for Chelsea and Liverpool would see a rematch from the 2022 final where Jurgen Klopp's side emerged as winners after a penalty shootout at Wembley.
Despite becoming used to the presence of VAR in Premier League games this season, all four Carabao Cup semifinalists will be given a break from technology in these matches, following a decision by the EFL.
Is VAR used in Carabao Cup semifinals?
The FA Cup third round included a mixture of games involving VAR and some not using video technology, with the option only available for matches played at Premier League grounds.
The EFL are organisers of the Carabao Cup and they have opted to remove VAR from the semifinals with Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium not equipped with the technology.
As per a statement from the EFL, the call was made to ensure an even level of competition, but VAR will be used in the final at Wembley on February 25.
"There will be no VAR used in the semifinals because it was not possible for the technology to be used at Middlesbrough.
"It was decided it was fairer to not use it in any of the four semifinal games as a result. The FA took a different approach [in the FA Cup] but we felt this was the way to go. If it couldn’t be used in one of the games it won’t be used in any of the four semifinal legs."
Carabao Cup semifinal draw, fixtures
The semifinal draw for the Carabao Cup was carried out at Anfield following Liverpool's quarterfinal thrashing of West Ham.
These ties are two-legged matchups. The first legs will be played on January 7 and 8, 2024, with the return legs on January 23 and 24.
Semifinal first leg
| Date | Match |
| Jan. 9, 2024 | Middlesbrough 1-0 Chelsea |
| Jan. 10, 2024 | Liverpool 2-1 Fulham |
Semifinal second leg
| Date | Match |
| Jan. 23, 2024 | Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough |
| Jan. 24, 2024 | Fulham vs. Chelsea |
Carabao Cup live streams, TV channel 2023/24
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| TV channel | Sky Sports | — | — | beIN Sports |
| Streaming | Sky Go, NOW TV | ESPN+ | DAZN | beIN Connect, Kayo Sports |
UK: Sky Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of the Carabao Cup in the UK.
USA: ESPN's streaming platform ESPN+ is the home of the Carabao Cup in the USA. Select matches from early rounds are available to be streamed, followed by all matches from the Round of 16 through to the final.
Canada: DAZN has the Carabao Cup streaming rights in Canada with select matches carried from the early rounds.
Australia: The Carabao Cup broadcaster for fans in Australia is beIN Sports.
