The 2025-26 Carabao Cup fourth round had everything, chaos, controversy, and a few shocks that left fans talking long after the final whistle. As the dust settles on a wild set of fixtures played on October 29, Softfootball brings you the ten biggest stories that shaped this thrilling round.
1. Liverpool's Crisis Deepens After Palace HumblingIt just keeps getting worse for Arne Slot. Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield was their sixth loss in seven games, a nightmare stretch for a side once famed for intensity and resilience. Ismaila Sarr ran riot, scoring twice, and exposing glaring defensive gaps. Slot blamed rotation, but fans weren't having it. With Aston Vila next in the League and Real Madrid next in the Champions League, the pressure couldn't be heavier.
2. Arsenal's Youngsters Deliver AgainDespite making ten changes, Mikel Arteta's decision to field 10 changes worked a treat as Arsenal calmly beat Brighton 2-0. Arsenal looked composed and purposeful. Eighteen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri broke through with a composed finish in the 57th minute, and Bukayo Saka added the second to seal the win. What stood out wasn't just the result, but the confidence with which the youthful side played. Arteta called it a 'special evening" and underlined how crucial integrating youth is when injuries pile up.