The 2023–24 EFL Cup was the 64th season of the EFL Cup (known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons). The competition was open to all clubs participating in the Premier League and the English Football League.
The winner of the competition qualified for the play-off round of the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League.[1] However, as champions Liverpool qualified for the UEFA Champions League that season, the spot for the Conference League play-offs was passed down to runners-up Chelsea, who finished 6th in the 2023–24 Premier League and had not qualified for any UEFA competition beforehand.
Manchester United were the defending champions, but were eliminated by Newcastle United, whom they had beaten in the previous season's final, in the fourth round.
The final was played at Wembley Stadium on 25 February 2024 between Liverpool and Chelsea. Liverpool secured a record-extending tenth title following a 1–0 win after extra time, courtesy of club captain Virgil van Dijk's late header.[2]
All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League entered the season's EFL Cup.
In the first round, all Championship, League One and League Two clubs entered.
The following round, the Premier League clubs not involved in the Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League entered.
A total of 72 clubs played in the first round: the 24 clubs from League Two the 24 clubs from League One and the 24 clubs from the Championship entered at this stage. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.
A total of 48 clubs played in the second round: the 12 Premier League clubs not involved in European competition entered at this stage along with the 36 winners from the first round. The draw for this round was split on a geographical basis into "northern" and "southern" sections. Teams were drawn against a team from the same section.
A total of 32 clubs played in the third round: the 8 Premier League clubs involved in European competition, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, and West Ham United entered the competition at this stage plus the 24 winners from the second round.
A total of 16 teams played in the fourth round. League Two side Mansfield Town were the lowest-ranked team in the draw.
A total of eight teams played in the quarter-finals. League One side Port Vale were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which took place on 1 November.[3]
A total of four teams played in the semi-finals. Championship side Middlesbrough were the lowest-ranked team in the draw, which took place on 20 December.[4]
Chelsea won 6–2 on aggregate.
Liverpool won 3–2 on aggregate.