Stoke were drawn at home against Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the quarter final. Stoke produced a commanding display against the Owls and Ibrahim Afellay and Phil Bardsley both scored their first goals for the club which earned Stoke a 2–0 victory. It was the first time Stoke had reached the League Cup semi-final since they won it in 1972. Stoke were paired win Liverpool in the semi-final with the first leg at the Britannia Stadium. Liverpool came out victorious in the first leg with Jordon Ibe scoring the only goal of the game in the 37th minute. Stoke went into the second leg at knowing that had to win for the first time at Anfield since 1959 in order to progress to the final. Marko Arnautović scored the only goal of the match just before half-time and after a goalless extra time the tie went to a penalty shoot out. Marc Muniesa saw his spot kick saved in sudden death and Joe Allen scored to win the tie for Liverpool.