Liverpool has discovered its next opponent in the Carabao Cup, with the tie set to be played on either September 15 or 16, between Fulham and Bournemouth in the Premier League
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session.
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Nikki Dyer/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool will host Tottenham at Anfield in the third round of the Carabao Cup after the draw was made on Wednesday.
Andoni Iraola's side will be playing that fixture on either September 15 or 16. There is a round of Carabao Cup matches in the midweek before that, but only for clubs not in European competition.
The Reds will find out who they will face in the Champions League group phase tomorrow, with UEFA set to make the draw at 5pm (UK time) in Nyon, Switzerland. Each team plays eight others, but a special rule means Liverpool won't host Real Madrid at Anfield.
When the new format came in for the Champions League, it was decided that no fixture could be played three times in a row.
Because Liverpool played Real Madrid at home in each of the first two editions of the tournament, it cannot play the Spanish giant at Anfield this time around — though it could face it at the Bernabeu.
Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie falls in between Premier League fixtures against Fulham (home) and Bournemouth (away) just before the September international break.
"I think the players have to be ready to change some of the things that they were doing, and they are very, very ready to change, very ready to learn new things," Iraola told TNT Sports last week.
"They are not getting it right straight away, but they want to know why. They ask the correct questions. I can even see them arguing. That is always a good thing.
"I think they are in the willingness of, 'OK, let's do it together, let's do it properly, let's fix this.' And I'm very happy with their attitude."
Iraola also clarified his comments about Liverpool's only being able to sustain their physical levels for 30 minutes during pre-season, when they will soon have two games per week.
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"I realize I have to be very careful with the things I say here for Liverpool, because every comment you make, they talk a lot about it," Iraola added.
"It wasn’t just a physical thing. I think it was more in terms of keeping the mentality, the focus throughout the whole game - not giving up one throw-in, my quick positioning for a goal kick — mentally, we have to be in the right place.
"Obviously, when you start to get tired, these things cost a little bit more. I think we are physically better every week, the more we train, like most of the teams.
"It was more, 'OK, we have to be like a team that doesn't relax in any moment, doesn't take anything for granted'. Especially in two games, winning 2-0, and we lost those games. It’s a matter of, 'OK, don’t relax. Even if we are winning, even if you are feeling comfortable, no'."