The draw for the semi-finals of the EFL Cup has been made, with Liverpool set to take on Fulham, while Chelsea will go head-to-head with Middlesbrough.

Pochettino was pleased with the resilience exhibited by Chelsea during their EFL Cup quarter-final triumph over Newcastle, emphasizing their unwavering belief. The team’s impressive performance has earned them a spot in the semi-finals, where they will encounter Middlesbrough, a Championship team. This victory brings them closer to achieving their first trophy under Pochettino’s guidance.

On the other hand, Liverpool, the reigning champions who secured the title in the 2021/22 season, will go head-to-head against Fulham in the other semi-final match. Jurgen Klopp’s team ensured their spot in the semi-finals by convincingly defeating West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield.

The semi-final matches will be held in two separate rounds, starting with the first game during the week of January 8, followed by the second leg two weeks later. The eagerly anticipated final is set to take place at Wembley on Sunday, February 25.

Middlesbrough, led by Michael Carrick, have emerged as the less favored team in the competition. In the quarter-finals, Chelsea emerged victorious against Port Vale, a League One team, with an impressive 3-0 victory. The club aims to recreate their historic success from the 2003/04 season, where they secured their first-ever League Cup title by defeating Bolton 2-1 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.

Throughout their journey to the semi-finals, Chelsea has secured narrow wins against Wimbledon, Brighton, and Blackburn, all on their home ground. The quarter-final encounter against Newcastle was intensely fought, with Mykhailo Mudryk’s late goal leading to a penalty shootout, which Chelsea ultimately won. The Riverside Stadium will be the venue for the initial match in the semi-final encounter between Middlesbrough and Liverpool. On the other hand, Anfield will take on the responsibility of hosting the first leg of the Liverpool versus Fulham clash. Fulham, led by manager Marco Silva, achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the semi-finals for the very first time in their history, triumphing over Everton in an exhilarating penalty shootout. Silva expressed the significance of this accomplishment as a pivotal moment for the club and aspires for his team to progress even further, ultimately securing a spot in the Wembley final.