When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?published at 18:27 27 February
18:27 27 February
Image source, Getty Images
The draw for the quarter finals of the FA Cup will take place on Wednesday at 19:00 GMT, before Chelsea's tie with Leeds United, which kicks off at 19:30.
It will be live on ITV4 and you can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.
Former England goalkeeper David Seaman, a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, will conduct the draw.
The ball numbers will be:
Blackburn Rovers or Newcastle United
Chelsea or Leeds United
Bournemouth or Leicester City
Liverpool or Southampton
Nottingham Forest or Manchester United
Wolverhampton Wanderers or Brighton & Hove Albion
Coventry City
Luton Town or Manchester City
'They have little experience but a lot of talent'published at 17:43 27 February
17:43 27 February
Image source, Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp says the young players who made headlines in the Carabao Cup final "don't have to show anything else" to anyone.
There's likely to be more first-team experiences for the youth players in the coming weeks as Liverpool continue to battle injuries, but Klopp says there's still "absolutely no pressure" on them.
"The story of Sunday was one of the best football stories ever," said Klopp.
"Our boys played in youth teams and only came up recently to train with us. They have little experience but a lot of talent - and they showed that.
"If you play them more and then people say they don’t look as good then that could be horrendous. There’s absolutely no pressure on them. All these boys have to do is enjoy what they’re doing and defend like mad."
The Liverpool boss further urged fans to get behind the young players and not be on their backs if they make a mistake.
"They’ve had all this experience in a flash," he added. "If they do [start against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday] then they will do the job and we all have to help them and not moan about the wrong things. It’s not cool."
'I wouldn't say injury situation is much improved since Sunday'published at 15:50 27 February
15:50 27 February
After the news that midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is unavailable for at least the next two games following the injury he sustained in the Carabao Cup final, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media about the "touch and go" availability of other players before the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton on Wednesday.
Klopp on Gravenberch injury and putting 'no pressure' on youngsterspublished at 15:11 27 February
15:11 27 February
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Manager Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media before Liverpool's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Southampton on Wednesday (20:00 GMT kick-off).
Here are the key lines:
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who was carried off on a stretcher during the Carabao Cup final, has ligament damage and Klopp has no time scale for his recovery.
He said "it's touch and go" whether Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai will be available to feature against Southampton.
In response to whether he could further rotate his squad: "Only the very young boys trained yesterday. I need to wait until they arrive later, so I can look in their eyes and see who will be ready. I hope it will be a decent line-up."
On opponents Southampton, who are managed by Russell Martin: "They are not in the best moment with results and have another important game on Saturday, so I don’t know how he’s weighing it up. I don't know him. Before a game, you always have a chance and that’s what they’ll try to take."
He said the Reds need the fans "to create something special", adding: "There's only one advantage we can have tomorrow night and that’s Anfield."
On hopes of progressing in the FA Cup: "We need to find a team who’s competitive and we will fight for it. We all got a really good taste of how Wembley feels. To go back again, we have to win tomorrow and more games."
He said "the story of Sunday was one of the best football stories ever" and added: "They [young players] have little experience but a lot of talent and they showed that."
On the possibility of them starting against Southampton: "There’s absolutely no pressure on them. All these boys have to do is enjoy what they’re doing and defend like mad. If they do then they will do the job and we all have to help them and not moan and sigh about the wrong things they do. It’s not cool."
Stefan Bajcetic "hasn't had the green light" to return to team training yet, but "he looks good" and "is gaining fitness".
Elliott said: "Digging in deep - it came off the back of 90 minutes in midweek - is what you live for. This is why you're a footballer.
"You need to push yourself to the max in order to get results and we did that. To come away with a victory is massive, but we need to put it behind us and make sure we are recovered and focused on Wednesday."
Liverpool are struggling with injuries, with 12 first-team players currently out, forcing manager Jurgen Klopp to heavily rely on his fringe players and academy prospects.
The Reds are due to play their third game in as little as seven days when they host Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
"It will be another big test against Southampton as they are doing well this season and are going to cause us problems. I can't wait for another game," Elliott added.
"It's going to be hard. It is just down to us. We need to put in the fight, desire and hunger, and who knows at the end of the season."
'Endo has proven himself to be one of the signings of the season'published at 08:25 27 February
08:25 27 February
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Wataru Endo cost Liverpool £16m. It was a rushed transfer decision, bringing him in from relegated Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart after Moises Caicedo - subject of a £110m bid - rejected Jurgen Klopp's Reds for Chelsea.
In general, fans were disappointed and confused. Who on earth is this guy...?
But there is not a Liverpool supporter anywhere who will not hold their hands up and apologise for doubting the midfield warrior.
Endo, aged 31 and playing in easily the biggest match of his career, completely outfought and outshone Caicedo, his younger, more expensive counterpart, in Sunday's EFC Cup final.
The Japan international has proven himself to be one of the signings of the season. At Wembley, he was utterly heroic for 120 minutes. Endo made last ditch clearances, won countless duels in midfield, passed the ball smartly and provided the platform for the entire team's tactical set-up.
Klopp intimated post-match that Endo will be given another long-term contract, so impressed are Liverpool with his contribution.
One problem though is that Endo left London on crutches, as did Ryan Gravenberch, who was on the end of a nasty, unpunished Caicedo tackle.
Klopp is simply running out of midfielders. Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Trey Nyoni may well get starts mid-week in the FA Cup due to the insane injury crisis.
Liverpool v Southampton: Pick of the statspublished at 08:22 27 February
08:22 27 February
Here are the key facts and figures before Wednesday's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Liverpool and Southampton:
Liverpool have won each of their past four FA Cup meetings with Southampton, most recently a 3-0 fifth-round victory at Anfield in 1989-90.
Southampton have lost their past six away games against Liverpool in all competitions, and are winless in seven (D1) since a 1-0 victory in the 2016-17 League Cup semi-final.
Liverpool have alternated between progression (five) and elimination (four) in their past nine FA Cup fifth-round ties. They beat Norwich 2-1 in their last such match in 2021-22.
Southampton have progressed from three of their past four FA Cup fifth-round ties, including twice in the previous three seasons. However, they did lose against Grimsby Town at this stage of the competition last term.
Southampton's Che Adams has been directly involved in four goals in his past three FA Cup appearances (two goals, two assists), twice as many as he was in his first 18 games in the competition (one goal, one assist).
Gossip: Liverpool join three-way race for Palhinhapublished at 07:42 27 February
Celtic are eyeing a move for Liverpool and Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, as they search for a number one for next season. (Football Insider), external
'They thought I was finished' - how Van Dijk proved pundits wrongpublished at 16:50 26 February
16:50 26 February
Luke Reddy BBC Sport journalist
Dua Lipa's hit 'One Kiss' - a tune adopted by Liverpool fans in recent years -plays in the background as Virgil van Dijk stares down a camera in the Reds' changing room and simply says: "They thought I was finished".
The defender - and very much the captain in recent weeks - shakes his head as he makes the remark.
Van Dijk, it has been said, was hurt by comments last season about not just his, but the team's displays. Word filtered out that he was fed up with media praise turning so swiftly - and so brutally - to criticism.
Fair or unfair? What can be said with certainty is - to quote the great Bill Shankly - Van Dijk has been a "colossus" in recent weeks.
Some fans spoke of one of the great all-time displays by an individual in a Liverpool shirt in the aftermath of Sunday's Carabao Cup win. That is a seriously bold and yet understandable statement.
It was a day where Van Dijk had the ball in the net twice and where he operated with as many as six different players filling the three roles alongside him in Liverpool's back four. Throw in the changing faces - bar the exceptional Wataru Endo - in midfield in front of him and it is safe to say the Reds' captain boxed with one hand behind his back and yet still found a knockout blow. He was sensational.
On Thursday, we wrote on this page of how the Dutch defender had set a crucial tone when his side trailed against Luton with a once again depleted squad. We explained how Van Dijk had won 24 of his last 25 duels in the Premier League but how beyond numbers, he was making his presence felt by somehow making a much-changed team stick together, unify and - at times - dig in.
Van Dijk may feel criticism last season was unfair. What cannot be denied is what he has offered in recent weeks is contrasts starkly with back then. Deep down he appears to know where he's at right now. His nod to the travelling fans moments after his goal showed off a confidence and offered a certainty, a swagger and an assurance that screamed 'I've got this'.
What he musters in the weeks to come will be the most significant factor in Liverpool's season, bar none. When he excels, his team prospers.
"He's getting everyone through it on the one hand and on the other hand he pops up with that," The Anfield Wrap's Neil Atkinson said in the aftermath of Sunday's win. "I think we might just live in Virgil van Dijk's universe."
What was it Dua Lipa said again?
"I look like all you need".
Van Dijk is just that at the moment - all you need and far from finished.
It feels like he's on a one-man mission to get this new-look Liverpool started.
'It's a club working together to give him one big farewell'published at 16:49 26 February
16:49 26 February
Image source, Getty Images
The Athletic’s Adam Crafton says Liverpool are using Jurgen Klopp's departure as motivation to achieve as much as they can this season to "go out on top".
Speaking about Klopp's visible emotion at the full-time whistle of their victory in the Carabao Cup final and whether a part of him will be regretting his decision to leave, Crafton said: "It seems he's at peace with it and it is almost a farewell tour.
"You probably also start to think, let's go out at the top because there's a possibility you won't get a bigger high! I think he's enjoying it.
"What I worried about when they made the announcement was that he might lose a bit of motivation, but actually what we're seeing is the opposite. It's a club united and working together to give him one big farewell at the end of the season."
Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "They're a resilient team and their mentality reflects that of their manager. It's never-say-die and they have continuous belief in themselves.
'Kelleher's save was better but Dudek's was more important'published at 16:49 26 February
16:49 26 February
We asked you to pick which Liverpool goalkeeper's point-blank save was better - Jerzy Dudek's infamous save against AC Milan in 2005 or Caoimhin Kelleher's full-stretch effort to deny Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final yesterday.
Here are some of your thoughts:
Steve: Jerzy's was better, but no disrespect to Caoimhin. The occasion was grander, the odds against us were stacked higher, the moment in the game was closer to jeopardy. They were both great saves, being point-blank and in the right place adds a spice of luck, but in both cases their instincts put them in the right place. Jerzy's save is iconic in Liverpool's history.
Abz: I would go with Dudek’s save because of two reasons. Firstly, the occasion was the biggest club game ever. Secondly, the skill of Shevchenko as a high-profile player who scores for fun. Well done to Kelleher, he did absolutely great.
Tommy: Kelleher's save was better, although Dudek's was more important. Klopp has given us fantastic memories and a statue must be erected outside of Anfield in his honour before he leaves.
Jimmy: In terms of significance, quality of the opponent and the skill level of the player taking the shot - the Dudek save wins hands down.
Mark: Dudek without a shadow of doubt. He had been rightly criticised over quite some time before the final and, at 3-0 down, it was a case of damage limitation. Dudek had to face the past European Player of the Year. No-one ever thought he could save it, but he did and the rest is history!
Image source, Getty Images
Your views on Sunday's Carabao Cup finalpublished at 13:01 26 February
13:01 26 February
We asked you for your thoughts on Sunday's Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Richard: Absolutely brilliant performance considering we had a host of first team players missing. Credit to the players, especially the young ones. May it continue to the end of the season.
James: A masterstroke by Jurgen Klopp playing the youngsters when he did. Chelsea looked a bit leggy at the time and the energy of those lads definitely carried Liverpool over the line once the goal came. Klopp will be so sorely missed and not just by his adoring fans at Anfield.
Stevie: Grit and determination throughout the team. Klopp will never be replaced - his man-management is second to none.
Chris: Given all our injuries, I was apprehensive. But what a performance, what spirit from the young players and what effort from the 'old' hands. Truly great.
Chelsea fans
Fossie: Awful! Too many slips, missed passes and missed opportunities. Lack of cohesion and not enough effort by most of the team. Pochettino cannot get them motivated, cannot get tactics right and cannot organise the team. First time I have said this but clearly he is not the man for Chelsea. Time for him to move over and someone with more nouse put in place.
Barry: I think we deserved more from that game. But, too many missed chances in the second half of the game and Nicolas Jackson needs to be more careful of being offside. We need Victor Osimhen.
Adam: An absolute waste of money and time! No bottle, no talent no chance. 'Every single player froze in extra time and made Liverpool's academy kids look good! So instead of wasting money on duds, bring academy players through.
Alan: Served up the usual dross. Some of those players are just not good enough. The fans deserve better.
'Ultimate statement of what Klopp's achieved over eight years at Liverpool'published at 11:42 26 February
11:42 26 February
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool fan Neil Atkinson from The Anfield Wrap on the EFL Cup win: "The manager has spoken so warmly about it post-match, saying it's his favourite ever win in a cup final and I can see where he's coming from.
"It was this situation where Liverpool were so injury-hit prior to the game, got another injury from a pretty poor tackle during the match, and then from there he brings on this cavalcade of young talent who just performed admirably.
"It would have been very easy in extra-time for Liverpool to fall back, go into a bit of a shell, but they just kept attacking and it was so liberating and exciting to watch. In the context of everything that is happening with the manager, it just felt like some sort of ultimate statement of what he's achieved over eight years at Liverpool."
Former Reds goalkeeper David James: "It was a fantastic game. Chelsea offered as much a part of the entertainment as Liverpool did.
"I thought Kelleher was superb in goal again. He likes Wembley which is a good thing to get to like.
"It just seemed to be one of those emotionally charged games. Had Kelleher not been as good as he had been, Chelsea could have won that trophy.
"This wasn't a case of Chelsea not being good enough across the board, it was two teams playing very well, producing a wonderful cup final."
'Age is not in our thought process at all'published at 10:53 26 February
10:53 26 February
Image source, PA Media
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp spoke to the written media after the Reds' Carabao Cup final success at Wembley on Sunday.
Here are some of his answers:
Just before the corner for the goal, you were smiling and turning to the crowd - what was going through your mind?
That would be cool if I could see goals coming! I loved it. What we saw here today is so exceptional and we might never see again. These things don’t happen in football. I got told there’s an English phrase that you don’t win trophies with kids - I didn’t know that.
In my 20 years, this is easily the most special trophy I have ever won. It's exceptional. I get asked if I'm proud of this or that, but tonight that is the overwhelming feeling, I was proud of the people for the way they pushed us, the stuff that they created this atmosphere surrounding it, where these boys can do what they are best at. I was proud of the academy, proud of my coaches. It wasn't because of my potential last game at Wembley, it was because of how everybody contributed, seeing the faces after the game of the kids.
How important is this for your legacy?
I couldn't care less about my legacy. I am not here to create one. As a manager of a football club, you are there to do a job. It's not a problem if the manager leaves, but if the supporters leave that would be a problem. As long as they are the way they are, Liverpool Football Club will be fine and that's the most important thing.
With your young players, do you see a talent rather than a teenager?
Age is not in our thought process at all. On Saturday in training, it was clear these were the boys we will take. We needed fresh legs, it was clear. You follow us closely and see the development of Bobby Clark, that is really crazy. Jayden Danns has only recently joined us in the first-team training and I loved him from the first minute. He came on and could have scored two goals in a cup final, it's insane.
Your thoughts on Wataru Endo?
I'm pretty sure in three or four years, he will sign another long-term contract at Liverpool. He might be 30 or 31 in the passport, but he’s a machine. His defensive brain is outstanding, he gives us a lot of freedom for a lot of things.
Point-blank brilliancepublished at 08:36 26 February
08:36 26 February
Luke Reddy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Point-blank saves in cup finals - they are the difference between success and failure, glory and disaster, a trophy and a heart full of regret.
Jerzy Dudek infamously saved from Andriy Shevchenko deep in Liverpool's 3-3 draw with AC Milan in 2005. The star striker couldn't miss with Dudek already on the floor but as the keeper raised himself, Shevchenko slammed against his body and the ball looped high into the Istanbul night. Dudek had no time to react, he did, the rest is history.
On Sunday, with the Reds up against it, drained of experience and questioning how a patched-up side could find what's needed to secure a trophy, Caoimhin Kelleher leapt across his goal when it seemed Cole Palmer had the freedom of London to put Chelsea ahead.
Kelleher's save may get lost in the river of praise for Jurgen Klopp, Virgil van Dijk and young, inexperienced names but surely when the dust settles, it will rank as one of the finest saves ever made by a Liverpool keeper in a cup final. Kelleher had no time to react, he did, the rest is history.
'Those players believe in Klopp' and 'he believes in them'published at 08:28 26 February
08:28 26 February
Image source, Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp's belief in his young Anfield charges has been praised in the aftermath of their enthralling 1-0 win over Chelsea to lift the EFL Cup at Wembley.
Liverpool were without several key players through injury, so five players aged 20 or under featured, with the average age of the team that finished the game being below 22.
QPR captain Asmir Begovic said it's a reflection of Jurgen Klopp's time at the club, where's he's "built confidence, belief and mentality," that those young players weren't frightened by the big stage of Wembley.
"The longer the game went on, against all odds, Liverpool were always going to be favourites and it would take a magical moment to win the game," Begovic told the Football Daily podcast.
"Those players believe in him, all the way from the top to the bottom of the football club it's instilled in them."
Former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker added: "It's fascinating that he so openly says he brought the kids on because many people would have thought they were giving up on it, but no, he brought them on because he believes in them and what he's built at the club.
"You can just see how proud he is, which for me is the foundation of football. You don't always have to go and spend money, you can bring kids through academies and still be successful. That's something I admire.
Paper talk: 'Top of the Klopps'published at 08:20 26 February
08:20 26 February
Monday's papers are packed with reaction to Liverpool's EFL Cup win and Virgil van Dijk picks up significant praise.
'Van among boys' is the headline in the Metro, while the Reds played 'Vantasy Football' according to the Daily Star.
Kelleher 'showed his qualities once again'published at 08:12 26 February
08:12 26 February
Image source, Getty Images
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic praised Caoimhin Kelleher's "phenomenal" performance in the Carabao Cup final and added he's "arguably the man of the match".
"Some of his saves throughout the game, to keep Liverpool in it, were phenomenal," Begovic told the Football Daily podcast.
"He's shown his qualities in the last two or three seasons whenever he's had a chance to play.
"Their other goalkeeper [Alisson], is one of the best in the world so those opportunities don't come around as much as he'd like, but he's played a massive part.
"He's arguably the man of the match. Virgil van Dijk will get the plaudits for scoring the winning goal but Kelleher put on a massive show and showed his qualities once again."
Image source, Getty Images
