Jamie Carragher highlights major problem with FA Cup draw as Liverpool handed potential Man Utd clash

Jamie Carragher has criticised the draw for the FA Cup after it produced a potential mouth-watering quarter-final tie between Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool and United are both in fifth-round action on Wednesday night, with Jurgen Klopp's side hosting Southampton at Anfield and United away at Nottingham Forest.

Should both United and Liverpool come through those ties, they'll face each other at Old Trafford in the last eight of the competition.

It would be a repeat of their FA Cup fourth-round tie in 2021, which ended in a 3-2 victory for United.

Elsewhere in the quarter-final draw, holders Manchester City were drawn against fellow Premier League side Newcastle United.

Chelsea or Leeds, also playing each other on Wednesday night, were drawn against Leicester, while either Wolves or Brighton will face the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, Coventry City, in the quarter-finals.

After the draw on ITV was completed, Carragher took to social media to express his frustration with the process.

"Any cup draw should not take place until all ties are played," Carragher posted on X.

"You lose the buzz & excitement of getting through if you already know you've got a tough draw in the next round!"

Carragher's former team Liverpool are still in contention for a quadruple this season, having recently won the Carabao Cup with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea.

Any cup draw should not take place until all ties are played.
You lose the buzz & excitement of getting through if you already know you’ve got a tough draw in the next round!

— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 28, 2024

Klopp's side are currently one point clear of defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League, while they are also through to the last 16 of the Europa League, where they will face Sparta Prague.

All four quarter-final ties in the FA Cup will be played across the weekend of March 16-17, with the semi-finals to be staged on the weekend of April 20.

The final will be staged as usual at Wembley, with the showpiece event taking place this year on May 25.