Need to know
Liverpool are set to enter the Carabao Cup in the third round as Andoni Iraola's side get ready to learn their fate via the draw
Balls placed for a Carabao Cup draw
The Carabao Cup draw is set to take place on Wednesday as Liverpool enter the competition(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know ahead of the Carabao Cup draws
Date and time of the draw: The Carabao Cup third-round draw is scheduled for Wednesday, August 26. Fans should expect the main draw to begin at approximately 10.15pm, immediately after the second round tie between Preston North End and Everton.
How to watch for free: The draw will be available to watch live on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel. Fans will not have to pay to watch the stream, which will start shortly before the draw begins.
Ball number: Liverpool will be No.7 in tonight's third round draw. The first eight ball numbers are occupied by the English teams competing Europe this season.
How to watch on television: For supporters wanting to follow the draw live on traditional television, comprehensive coverage will be available. The draw will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Live streaming options: There are multiple convenient ways to stream the draw. Sky Sports subscribers can choose to catch the draw live using the Sky Go app or through a NOW membership on their preferred digital devices.
Two-draw system explained: The third-round draw features a unique new format involving two separate stages to navigate a congested football calendar. Before the main draw begins, a special pre-draw will be conducted around 7.20pm to determine whether the eight clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League will play their matches at home or away. Once their home or away status is locked in, these teams are drawn from a separate bowl during the main draw.
Why Liverpool and others are separated: The separation is due to the newly expanded formats of UEFA's European competitions, which create scheduling headaches. Competing teams have exclusive European matchweeks in September. Placing them in a separate bowl guarantees that clubs competing in Europe will avoid each other and can fulfil their fixtures.
Fixture dates and schedule: Rather than taking place in a single midweek slot, the fixtures will be split across two separate weeks, starting on September 7 and September 14. This adjusted schedule gives all teams enough time to compete domestically while the top English clubs begin their European campaigns.
READ MORE: Liverpool could face nightmare run after Champions League draw as fixture list becomes clearer
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