Carabao Cup semi-final draw labelled the ‘most obviously rigged ever’ by fans as Chelsea get Championship tie

FANS moaned the Carabao Cup draw was fixed after Chelsea and Liverpool avoided each other in the semi-finals.

The Reds thrashed West Ham 5-1 at Anfield to complete the final-four line-up.

Chelsea and Fulham booked their places in the semis thanks to penalty shootout victories over Newcastle and Everton respectively on Tuesday while Middlesbrough saw off Port Vale.

Father-and-son duo Harry and Jamie Redknapp conducted the draw live on Sky Sports after tonight's game.

And crucially the two big hitters avoided each other.

Middlesbrough were pitted against Chelsea while Liverpool will take on Fulham.

And petulant supporters took to social media, ridiculously suggesting the draw was "most obviously rigged" which it clearly was not.

There was just a 33 per cent chance of Chelsea and Liverpool drawing each other - and the same likelihood of it being Mauricio Pochettino's side who got the one remaining Championship side.

Sky presenter Mark Chapman even joked that Middlesbrough and Fulham fans would not be happy.

But one fuming supporter complained: "That was the most obviously rigged draw ever."

Another added: "Carabao Cup draw was fixed to get the big final. Middlesborough and Fulham never had a chance."

A third tweeted: "Come on Fulham and Boro upset the draw fix."

A fourth chipped in: "Surprise surprise Liverpool and Chelsea kept apart, that will please the sponsors. CORRUPT."

And a final user blasted: "I would have happily put £1,000 for that draw… so rigged for a Liverpool vs Chelsea final."

Should Chelsea and Liverpool progress as expected, that would set up a repeat of the 2022 Carabao Cup final.

Following a 0-0 draw after extra-time, Kepa Arrizabalaga missed Chelsea's 11th penalty before Caoimhin Kelleher scored to seal an 11-10 shootout win for the Reds.

To make matters worse, Kepa - now at Real Madrid - had been subbed on in the 119th minute just to take part in the shootout. Yet Liverpool scored every kick against him.

But Chelsea will hope they have a new goalkeeping hero now after Djordje Petrovic saved Matt Ritchie's penalty to give them victory over Eddie Howe's Magpies this week.

Liverpool are going for a record-extending ninth success in the League Cup while the Blues have got their hands on the cup five times.

Middlesbrough beat Bolton in the 2004 final for their only triumph but Fulham are into the semis for the very first time in the tournament's history.

The two-legged semi-finals will take place in the weeks beginning January 8 and January 22 ahead of the final at Wembley on February 25.

Middlesbrough and Liverpool play at home first before Chelsea and Fulham host the second legs - with the two legs getting scrapped from next season as the EFL shakes up the competition.

Manchester United are the holders, beating Newcastle to end their six-year goal drought in February.