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Liverpool edged out Brighton with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Carabao Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals after a tense showdown.

Cody Gakpo played a standout role for the Reds, netting two goals in the second half, which gave Liverpool a solid lead.



Brighton, however, fought back with goals from Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey, intensifying the game’s final moments.

Luis Díaz’s decisive strike in the 85th minute proved crucial, securing Liverpool’s path forward in the competition amidst a packed football calendar?

The Carabao Cup semi-final structure has sparked much debate recently, particularly with ongoing concerns around fixture congestion.

For years, the semi-final round of the Carabao Cup has been played over two legs, granting each team one home game, which supporters argue adds fairness.

However, with the intensifying football schedule — especially as English teams compete in expanded UEFA competitions and the upcoming 32-team FIFA Club World Cup — the debate to reduce the Carabao Cup semi-finals to a single-leg fixture has gained traction.

With Liverpool drawing Southampton for the last eight of the competition, it is expected that Arne Slot’s men make it to the semi-finals.

Does the Carabao Cup semi-final have two legs in 2024/25?

As mentioned, there were legitimate discussions around scrapping the two-legged semi-final ties ahead of this season due to fixture congestion.

Despite these concerns, the English Football League (EFL) decided to retain the two-legged format for the 2024/25 season?

This decision has been influenced by financial considerations, as additional home fixtures generate revenue through ticket sales and broadcasting rights.

Additionally, the EFL’s broadcasting contracts reportedly favor the traditional two-leg format, ensuring more content for broadcasters and increased engagement from fans.

According to the Times, the continuation of two-legged ties due to the lack of consensus among Premier League clubs on a financial support arrangement for lower leagues.

Although there were discussions about streamlining the competition to ease fixture congestion, no agreement was reached to alter the format.

The EFL has set the dates for the Sky Bet Championship, League One, and League Two seasons but without the financial distribution deal, the two-leg Carabao Cup semi-finals will remain unchanged.

So, for this season, Carabao Cup semi-finals will continue to be played over two legs, keeping the tradition alive even as discussions around fixture congestion continue.

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