Middlesbrough require Carabao Cup rule change that will affect Liverpool

The EFL have confirmed that VAR will not be in operation for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Liverpool take on Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday evening, with Middlesbrough hosting Chelsea at the Riverside the night before. Both games are the first legs and will be shown live on Sky Sports.

And although three teams from the Premier League are involved in the final four, there will be no VAR in the competition’s semi-finals as a result of Middlesbrough’s involvement. The Championship side do not have VAR equipment installed at the Riverside, so in the interests of fairness and consistency, the matches will remain a VAR-free zone.

However, should Liverpool progress to the final, then VAR, as it has been in recent years, will be in operation at Wembley.

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“Given the system is not installed at one of the participating semi-finalist Clubs and to maintain fairness and consistency, VAR technology will not be used in the Carabao Cup semi-final stage this season,” the EFL confirmed on their website.

“This is in line with previous rounds of this season’s competition when at some grounds, but not all, VAR has been available. VAR is installed at Wembley Stadium and as per our previous commitment VAR will be used in February’s final."

A 3-1 win over Leicester City got Liverpool's Carabao Cup campaign underway at Anfield. A 2-1 victory at Bournemouth followed in the next round.

The Reds then set up a semi-final showdown with Marco Silva’s Fulham after hammering West Ham United 5-1 in the quarter-finals at home just before Christmas. Jurgen Klopp’s side