Liverpool to host Chelsea in EFL Cup, Mourinho to duel with Lampard
Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho are set for their first managerial duel in the EFL Cup, while Chelsea and Liverpool will tussle at Anfield.
Published : Aug 31, 2018 00:26 IST
Liverpool and Chelsea will have a difficult start to their respective EFL Cup campaigns after being drawn against each other in the third round, while Frank Lampard will come up against his former coach Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea made it to last season's semifinals before being eliminated 2-1 on aggregate by Arsenal, which itself was defeated by Manchester City in the final.
The two sides last met each other in the EFL Cup in January 2015 – Chelsea emerging 2-1 aggregate victor on its way to lifting the trophy.
Third round fixtures are due to take place on the week commencing September 24, meaning Chelsea's trip to Liverpool will come just a few days prior to its Stamford Bridge meeting in the Premier League on the 29th.
One of the other standout ties sees Derby County travelling to Manchester United, as Lampard – who enjoyed great success as a player at Chelsea under Mourinho – prepares to face the Portuguese coach for the first time.
Reigning champion City travels to League One side Oxford United at the start of its defence, while the team it defeated at Wembley in February – Arsenal – will host Brentford.
There are three other all-Premier League ties, with Wolves welcoming Leicester City, Everton hosting Southampton and Watford heading to Tottenham, which has applied for special dispensation to play at a neutral stadium due to the unavailability of Wembley and its new ground.
EFL Cup third round draw in full:
West Brom v Crystal Palace Arsenal v Brentford Burton Albion v Burnley Wycombe Wanderers v Norwich City Oxford United v Manchester City West Ham v Macclesfield Millwall v Fulham Liverpool v Chelsea Bournemouth v Blackburn Rovers Preston North End v Middlesbrough Wolves v Leicester City Tottenham v Watford Blackpool v QPR Everton v Southampton Manchester United v Derby County Nottingham Forest v Stoke City