What is at stake in EFL Cup semi-finals?

Just one match separates Newcastle United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur from a date at Wembley for the EFL Cup final.

Newcastle take a 2-0 advantage over Arsenal into the second leg of their semi-final at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday 5 February.

The following night sees Liverpool attempt to overcome a 1-0 deficit against Spurs at 20:00 GMT for a spot in the final on Sunday 16 March.

Here Ben Bloom looks at everything you need to know about the final four.

Newcastle v Arsenal

What happened in the first leg?

Arsenal left the Emirates Stadium pitch to a smattering of boos after failing to make use of their dominance and slipping to a 2-0 defeat.

Mikel Arteta’s side had 23 shots to Newcastle’s seven, but only hit the target three times, with Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba among those to miss golden opportunities.

They were punished by goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

First leg highlights

How is it looking now?

After equalling the club’s record of nine successive wins, Newcastle have since lost their last two home Premier League fixtures, against AFC Bournemouth and Fulham.

Looking to defend the first-leg lead on Wednesday, their major injury concern is for Joelinton, who went off with a knee problem in Saturday’s defeat against Fulham and may join Harvey Barnes on the sidelines. Callum Wilson could be involved for the first time since picking up a hamstring injury in early December.

Arsenal are unbeaten in six matches and will be full of confidence after thrashing Manchester City 5-1 and convincingly qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Arteta has no new selection concerns, with Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka still sidelined.

What will it mean?

Since 1987/88, all eight away teams to gain a two-goal advantage in an EFL Cup semi-final first leg have reached the final.

Newcastle were runners-up in 2022/23, with their last piece of major domestic silverware the FA Cup in 1954/55.

Victory for Arteta would provide a second major trophy in charge at Arsenal after winning the FA Cup in his first season in 2019/20.

Should Newcastle secure a place in the final their home Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace scheduled for Saturday 15 March would need to be rearranged.

If Arsenal advance to the final, their home league match against Chelsea on Sunday 16 March will instead take place at 19:30 GMT on Tuesday 18 February, sandwiched between Premier League matches against Leicester City and West Ham United.

Whoever wins the EFL Cup will qualify for the UEFA Conference League if they do not otherwise secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League or UEFA Europa League.

Liverpool v Spurs 

What happened in the first leg?

Spurs gained a controversial 1-0 home win through Lucas Bergvall’s late strike, which came after the teenager - who had already been booked - escaped punishment for catching Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas.

Dominic Solanke had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside, but the hosts inflicted only the second defeat of Arne Slot’s Liverpool tenure.

Bergvall's goal v Liverpool

How is it looking now?

Liverpool’s only subsequent defeat was in a UEFA Champions League match at PSV Eindhoven having already qualified as top seeds for the last 16.

Slot’s side continue to set a stiff pace at the top of the Premier League, where they remain unbeaten in 19 matches. Mohamed Salah, the competition’s top goalscorer, grabbed both goals in Liverpool's 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold went off injured during that match and Slot said he would be "surprised" if he features at Anfield.

Spurs' rollercoaster season has continued since the EFL Cup semi-final first leg win, requiring extra-time to see off non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup third round and losing Premier League matches to Arsenal, Everton and Leicester.

But Ange Postecoglou's side qualified directly for the UEFA Europa League round of 16 and head into the match off the back of victory over Brentford.

Postecoglou is unlikely to have any of his extensive list of injured players return for the match, although Micky van de Ven could play after he was rested last time out and new centre-back loan signing Kevin Danso may feature.

What will it mean?

Winners of two of the last three EFL Cups, Liverpool are still firmly fighting on four fronts as Slot looks to complete a seamless transition from Jurgen Klopp.

Languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, Spurs are also still in three cup competitions, which represent their best route to European football next season. Winning this would provide the UEFA Conference League, claiming the FA Cup would mean UEFA Europa League football, and winning the UEFA Europa League would secure UEFA Champions League fare. Spurs' last trophy success was the 2007/08 EFL Cup.

Should Liverpool reach the EFL Cup final, their Premier League match at Aston Villa on Saturday 15 March would instead take place at 19:30 GMT on Wednesday 19 February, giving them eight fixtures in a packed February.

If Spurs progress, their league fixture at Fulham on Sunday 16 March would move to 19:30 GMT on Wednesday 19 February.