Image for Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Tottenham drawing Liverpool in Carabao Cup third round
Image for Roberto De Zerbi reacts to Tottenham drawing Liverpool in Carabao Cup third round
The third-round draw of the League Cup never usually generates the kind of electric anticipation reserved for European nights, but Wednesday evening delivered a plotline fit for the back pages.
Liverpool have been handed a heavyweight home tie against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round. The clash at Anfield introduces an immediate narrative spark, setting up a swift reunion with former Reds left-back Andy Robertson, who swapped Merseyside for North London on a free transfer in July.
While Spurs booked their place in the third round following a 5-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic a match illuminated by £75 million summer signing Savio Roberto De Zerbi was quick to embrace the magnitude of the draw.
“Speaking in his post-match press conference, the Tottenham manager gave his instant reaction: “Great. Is a great game. If we want to win the competition, you have to win the games. Sometimes you can play in the beginning against a big, big team. Is a great challenge for the players and for me.”
De Zerbi on Liverpool #CarabaoCup draw: "Great. Is a great game. if we want to win the competition, you have to win the games. Sometimes you can play in the beginning against a big, big team. Is a great challenge for the players and for me." #thfc
— George Sessions (@GeorgeSessions) August 26, 2026
Logistics and the UEFA scheduling headache
The fixture will be played at Anfield across the midweek of September 15, 16, or 17, with live television coverage split between Sky Sports and ITV in the UK.
The scheduling reflects the structural changes introduced by UEFA’s new league phase format. The Carabao Cup third round is now split across two separate midweeks to accommodate European action. Champions League matches are set for September 8 and 9, while the Europa League takes center stage the following week.
Because UEFA fixtures take priority and cannot be rescheduled, clubs competing in the Champions League including Liverpool will complete their domestic cup duties during the second available window (September 15–17).
For Andoni Iraola side, the cup tie sits directly between a domestic home encounter against Fulham on September 12 and a trip to Bournemouth on September 20, immediately preceding the September international break.
Real Madrid Anfield ban explained
Liverpool’s attention shifts to Switzerland on Thursday afternoon for the UEFA Champions League group phase draw, held at 5:00 PM (UK time) in Nyon. Under the expanded format, each club will draw eight distinct opponents—four at home and four away.
However, a unique UEFA rule ensures Real Madrid will not be making the journey to Merseyside this season.
Under guidelines introduced alongside the updated league phase, no specific matchup can be staged at the same venue for three consecutive seasons. Having hosted the Spanish giants at Anfield in each of the past two editions of the competition, Liverpool cannot play Real Madrid at home during this stage though a trip to the Santiago Bernabéu remains a distinct possibility.
Carabao Cup third-round draw in full
Liverpool vs. Tottenham
Crystal Palace vs. Middlesbrough
Man United vs. Brighton
Man City vs. Norwich
Sunderland vs. Hull
Ipswich vs. Arsenal
Coventry vs. Aston Villa
Bournemouth vs. Lincoln
Chelsea / Luton vs. Leeds
Millwall vs. Newcastle
Fleetwood vs. Sheffield United
Everton vs. Wolves
Leyton Orient vs. Bradford
Reading vs. Brentford
Peterborough vs. Barnsley
West Ham vs. Fulham / Wimbledon