Liverpool will host Chelsea in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, while Premier League champions Arsenal have drawn the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Fleetwood Town.

Xabi Alonso will be set for his first Anfield return as Chelsea boss after his side beat Leeds last week, with the Reds getting past Tottenham on Tuesday.

Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player during a distinguished spell, was touted as a possible replacement for Arne Slot but went to Stamford Bridge instead.

League Two side Fleetwood will host Arsenal after upsetting Championship side Sheffield United at home in the third round.

Elsewhere, Everton host Newcastle, Brentford go to Sunderland, Fulham face Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, and Bournemouth welcome Aston Villa.

There will be a League One team in the quarter-finals as Bradford host Peterborough.

The fourth round of the Carabao Cup takes place the week commencing October 26.

Carabao Cup fourth round draw in full…
Fleetwood vs Arsenal

Manchester City or Norwich vs Brighton

Everton vs Newcastle

Sunderland vs Brentford

Liverpool vs Chelsea

Bradford vs Peterborough

Fulham vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth vs Aston Villa

Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors after their supporters taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his friend and team-mate Diogo Jota.

Al-Taawoun have also been fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000).

Liverpool forward Jota died in a car crash at the age of 28 in July last year and was a close friend of midfielder Neves, having played alongside him for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal.

Neves also now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota’s memory, and has a tattoo on his calf of him and Jota embracing. He was also a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.

Supporters targeted Neves before his side’s 6-0 win on Saturday by repeatedly shouting “Jota” at him.

After the match, Neves told reporters: “I just hope they don’t go to pray later after what they did.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and was an international team-mate of Jota, called for lifetime bans to be issued to the chanting fans.

In a statement, Al-Taawoun said: “Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and does not represent the club, its fans, or the values ​​for which the club is known.

“Sports competition cannot be a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone’s feelings.”

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up a potential future without Michael Carrick.

The club have reportedly identified former Napoli and Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as a potential candidate should they decide to replace head coach Michael Carrick.

The 57-year-old Italian is currently unemployed following his departure from Napoli at the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign, where he secured the 2024/25 Serie A title during his two-year tenure.

The club hierarchy are reportedly eyeing external options following a mediocre start to the 2026/27 season.

Manchester United most recently suffered a 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City on September 13, failing to capitalise after playing against 10 men for nearly 70 minutes.

The poor start places pressure on Carrick, who recently signed a permanent contract after impressing during an interim stint earlier in 2026.

Despite handing the 45-year-old a new long-term deal in the summer, the Manchester United board are exploring contingency plans if results do not improve.

Conte presents a proven option for the Old Trafford hierarchy, boasting a strong track record of securing major domestic titles.

He won three consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus between 2011 and 2014, secured the 2020/21 Serie A title with Inter Milan, and added a fifth Italian championship with Napoli in 2024/25.

His Premier League credentials include winning the 2016/17 league title and the 2017/18 FA Cup during a two-year stint at Chelsea between 2016 and 2018.

Despite his undeniable pedigree, reservations remain regarding his abrasive management style and his previous exit from English football.

Conte last managed in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, leaving the club by mutual consent in March 2023 following a volatile 16-month tenure.

His departure occurred shortly after an explosive post-match press conference where he openly criticised his players as “selfish” following a 3-3 draw against Southampton.

The manner of that exit remains a point of consideration for the Manchester United hierarchy as they evaluate whether his demanding approach aligns with their current squad structure.