Liverpool have been handed a blockbuster Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Chelsea, while Premier League champions Arsenal face a very different challenge away to League Two Fleetwood Town.
The fourth-round draw has produced several eye-catching ties, with Liverpool set to welcome Chelsea to Anfield in one of the biggest games of the round.
The fixture will also give Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso a first return to Anfield as a manager.
Alonso knows the stadium extremely well after enjoying a distinguished playing career with Liverpool, where he won the Champions League.
The former Liverpool midfielder had previously been touted as a possible successor to Arne Slot before eventually taking charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea booked their place in the fourth round after beating Leeds last week, while Liverpool advanced by defeating Tottenham on Tuesday.
The meeting at Anfield now promises to add another intriguing chapter to Alonso’s relationship with Liverpool.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been handed the lowest-ranked opponent remaining in the Carabao Cup.
The Premier League champions will travel to League Two Fleetwood Town after the lower-league side produced one of the third round’s biggest shocks by defeating Championship club Sheffield United at home.
Fleetwood’s reward is a dream night against Arsenal, with the League Two outfit now preparing to welcome the English champions.
The draw has also created the possibility of another Premier League clash involving Manchester City.
City face Norwich on Thursday night, and victory would send them through to a home fourth-round tie against Brighton.
Brighton earned their place in the next round after completing a sensational comeback victory away to Manchester United.
Chelsea’s visit to Liverpool is already one of five confirmed all-Premier League fourth-round ties.
The other top-flight clashes will see Everton host Newcastle, Brentford travel to Sunderland, Fulham welcome Crystal Palace to Craven Cottage, and Bournemouth take on Aston Villa.
That means the next stage of the competition will feature several heavyweight Premier League contests, while Fleetwood will have the chance to create another major upset against Arsenal.
There is also guaranteed to be a League One representative in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Bradford City will face Peterborough United in an all-League One fourth-round battle, ensuring one of the two clubs will reach the last eight.
For Bradford and Peterborough, the tie represents a major opportunity to go deeper into a competition that can produce memorable runs for clubs outside the Premier League.
The fourth round is scheduled to take place during the week commencing October 26.
With Liverpool facing Chelsea, Arsenal travelling to Fleetwood and several Premier League sides drawn against each other, the Carabao Cup has already delivered plenty of intrigue before a ball is kicked.
And with Manchester City potentially joining the Premier League-heavy line-up, the quarter-final picture could become even more difficult to predict.
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