Remember no VAR tonight, so it is all a bit old school.

The system is only used from the semi-finals onwards.

I usually find that when both teams make quite a few changes it takes a while for any sort of rhythm to develop. Will that be the case tonight? We are under way.

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's always a great night here. I remember many times playing under the lights here.

It's always special.

The players are out on the pitch, with Anfield looking great under the lights.

The home fans will be hoping not to see their side's attempt to score frustrated for the second time in a few days.

Liverpool have won this competition a record nine times and played in a record 13 finals.

They are aiming to appear in a record 19th League Cup semi-final.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Anfield

There was a time when Liverpool owned this competition.

Between 1981 and 1984, they won it in four successive seasons.

The first of those triumphs came against West Ham, although the Reds needed a Wembley replay after a dramatic ending to the first match, when both sides scored in the final two minutes of extra-time.

No replay or extra-time these days.

After 90 minutes, it will be straight to penalties if required.

Clinton Morrison
Former Republic of Ireland striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

He's a top player.

If I am a centre-forward, I am making runs in behind. I would love him playing the balls in behind.

I'd be honest with you, a lot of people probably didn't know about him before he came to the Premier League. But he's been outstanding, and the way he has adjusted to the way Liverpool play (is great).

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live

Gonzo from YouTube channel Hammers Chat, speaking on BBC's Monday Night Club about West Ham midfielder Edson Alvarez: "We have got away without having really a dedicated central defensive midfielder. Rice was good at everything. He was so good.

"Carrying the ball forward, getting forward and scoring goals. Long-range passing and short-range passing and he would get back. He was so athletic that if he wasn't particularly well-placed positionally, he would get back and he would win the ball back.

"Alvarez, as I understand it, used to be a centre-half. He is just one of the players that really enjoys defending. The other thing that he does is he drops back into centre-back, which allows our two centre-backs to split which also allows the full-backs to get further up the pitch.

"He just makes us more creative. It's crazy really what has happened."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Anfield

There has been illness in the West Ham camp, which probably explains the absences of Nayef Aguerd and Maxwel Cornet from the visitors' squad at Anfield.

Not that Cornet could be regarded as a massive miss.

The Ivory Coast wide-man has made seven appearances so far this season, starting just once. In those six substitute outings he has amassed a total of 54 minutes on the pitch, 23 of which came in the Europa League tie with Serbian side Backa Topola at the end of November.

Not the greatest £17.5m the Hammers have ever spent to get him from Burnley 18 months ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough will look to enjoy their Carabao Cup semi-final experience after making the last four as a Championship club, says boss Michael Carrick.

Tuesday's 3-0 win at Port Vale ensured Boro would be in the semis with Chelsea and Fulham, as well as the winners of tonight's game.

It is nearly 20 years since Boro won the competition in 2004 for their only major trophy, under Steve McClaren.

"You want to try to achieve things," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

"For anyone in football, for the fans as well to have that journey and that bit of spark and excitement - that passion - sometimes football can be a beautiful thing.

"Cup competitions throw up that, we're in it to see how far we can go and we'll enjoy it as long as it lasts."

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Two of last night's ties went to penalties as Chelsea beat Newcastle 4-2 after a 1-1 draw, while Fulham overcame Everton 7-6 after that game had also ended 1-1.

Will spot kicks be needed tonight? The game goes straight to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Gonzo from YouTube channel Hammers Chat, speaking on BBC's Monday Night Club about West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus: "He is amazing.

"He is perfectly suited to the Premier League. He is ridiculously strong and he will actively seek out physical battles with other people on the pitch.

"He is direct and got a really good shot, and he appears to be completely unselfish in terms of seeking out his team-mates in attack, but also he will track back and help the right-back out. He has liberated Jarrod Bowen to take up a more central position.

"Again, this guy Kudus comes in and it's a case of unlocking him. Paqueta has been able to get more central and he is finding him. Good players always seem to recognise each other and we have got, certainly in the case of Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta, three really good players and it's a case of getting the most out of them."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham caught the eye on the way to the quarter-finals with an impressive 3-1 win against Premier League title hopefuls Arsenal.

That was at the start of November and the Hammers have lost just two games since then, against Brentford and Fulham in the Premier League.

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West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen is relishing his side's busy fixture schedule and has urged his team-mates to make the most of tonight's game against Liverpool.

David Moyes' side are in the middle of a three-week period where they play seven times.

"It's an exciting time. As a player, you want to be in as many competitions as possible," Bowen said.

"We've got a chance now on Wednesday night to get a place in the Carabao Cup semi-final and then we play Manchester United on Saturday too.

"That will be another tasty game and there's a lot to look forward to. We're glad we got the win. It moves us up the table and it makes things interesting over the Christmas period."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders believes competing in the latter stages of the EFL Cup gives the Reds a chance to craft a squad capable of fighting on multiple fronts.

They last won the trophy in 2021-22, when they also lifted the FA Cup, finished second in the Premier League and reached the Champions League final, where they lost lost to Real Madrid.

"We always say the first half of the season is the base that you create," Lijnders said.

"That is why I like this competition a lot because it gives some players, young players, an opportunity and at the same time, you play early finals. And everybody knows that Liverpool football club is here to play finals.

"We start the season wanting to create new memories, special games, a team that can beat the best teams in the world.

"Especially with this team, because it's a new team, you want to play finals and reaching a semi-final in January would only be helpful for the boys to grow."

Charlie Adam
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I would love him in my team. He gives you everything and he sets the precedent and he sets the tone.

He can get you from that front of the pitch and be aggressive in the counter-attack. If I was a centre-back, I'd hate to play against him.