Latest Liverpool news and gossip as Arne Slot and Co. prepare to face Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final
VAR in action during the Premier League last season
VAR will not be used in Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton
Liverpool's defence of the Carabao Cup continues when they face Southampton in the quarter-final. The Reds travel to St Mary's to take on the Saints on Wednesday night, days after being held to a draw with Fulham in the Premier League.
Arne Slot is looking to win his first major trophy as Liverpool's new head coach after replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer. Victory over Southampton would see the Reds book their place in the semi-final and just two games away from reaching the Wembley Stadium showpiece fixture.
The quarter-final against Southampton will not see VAR being used, the technology being implemented in the Premier League. Liverpool have become accustomed to the use of a video assistant referee since the introduction of the technology in the Carabao Cup in the 2018/19 season before it was rolled out in the top flight the following campaign.
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Since the 2019/20 season, though, VAR has only been used in the Carabao Cup from the semi-final stage. This will be the case when Liverpool face Southampton on Wednesday evening in the quarter-final, with no video technology being implemented.
Liverpool beat Brighton in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup to book their place in the quarter-final. Should the Reds get past the Saints then the first leg of the semi-final, which will include the use of VAR, will be played on January 8 before the return leg takes place almost a month later on February 5.
The contest at St Mary's is not the only Carabao Cup quarter-final being played this week without VAR. As well as Liverpool's clash against Southampton, Arsenal vs Crystal Palace, Newcastle vs Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United will also take centre stage.