Liverpool are in action at Anfield for the third time in a week as Tottenham arrive for the third round of the Carabao Cup. Here’s all you need to know.
Liverpool vs. Tottenham
Carabao Cup (3rd Round) | Anfield
September 15, 2026 | 8pm (BST)
Winning the Carabao Cup wouldn’t have been at the very top of the club’s agenda at the start of the season.
However, having drawn two of their last three Anfield fixtures, the third round has taken on more significance as Liverpool look to lift the mood.
Liverpool’s love for the League Cup
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 25, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates with the trophy after the Football League Cup Final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0 after extra-time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, February 25, 2024: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp celebrates with the trophy after the Football League Cup Final match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool won 1-0 after extra-time. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As record 10-time winners of the League Cup, Liverpool supporters have always enjoyed the competition and the moments of joy it has provided.
Joe Fagan, Rafa Benitez, Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot all reached the final at their first attempt, and it would serve to throw a monkey off his back if Iraola were to triumph at Wembley.
As a coach, he only has one trophy in his cabinet so far: the 2018 Cypriot Super Cup that he won on penalties while managing AEK Larnaca.
Joe Gomez should be available to play
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez departs the team hotel for an afternoon training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Wednesday, July 22, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez departs the team hotel for an afternoon training session in Chicago ahead of the start of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Joe Gomez could play his first game of the campaign after returning to training last week.
“I think he’s going to be available for tomorrow and now it’s a matter of deciding how much he can play and what is the best thing to do,” Iraola commented.
Federico Chiesa, Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are still someway off a return, however.
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Giorgi Mamardashvili will play in goal
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola shakes hands with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as he is substituted during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola shakes hands with goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili as he is substituted during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and Sunderland AFC at the Nashville SC Stadium. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Since Alisson joined Liverpool in 2018, the club has played 28 times in the League Cup and the Brazilian has appeared in only two of those.
That trend is to continue, with Iraola already confirming that Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal for the first time this season.
The manager added that he thinks “we will see tomorrow players that we haven’t seen” yet, which signals the probable inclusion of Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas.
As well as Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak have all started every match this season, so they will likely be rested.
Possible LFC XI: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araujo, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Ngumoha; Koumas
Andoni Iraola: ‘It’s not just the midfielders’
Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were two of the players most heavily criticised after Saturday’s goalless draw with Fulham.
Iraola didn’t think the duo’s misgivings were solely their fault, though: “It’s not a matter of just the midfielders.
“For me, it’s more collective than the midfielders. When we’ve been good collectively, the midfielders have looked a lot better and have recovered more duels and have won more balls.”
Tottenham’s troubles
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi reacts on the touchline during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
The summer’s big-money overhaul of the squad hasn’t come to fruition yet for Tottenham.
They are yet to score a goal in the Premier League, losing against Brentford and Newcastle before drawing with Nottingham Forest and Everton.
Their second-round victory in the cup offered more encouragement, though, as they beat Championship side Charlton 5-1 thanks to goals from Mikey Moore, Dominic Solanke, Kevin Danso, Savio (Savinho) and Ben Davies.
Tottenham team news
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi speaks with Mathys Tel after the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday September 12, 2026.
Roberto De Zerbi played a strong side in the last round, and with the mood already low among their fans, they could do without a heavy beating at Anfield.
However, he has said that he will “play with all other players,” indicating he will make several changes.
Andy Robertson could stay in the team, though, having started three of their five games in all competitions so far. On the pitch or not, expect the Liverpool legend to receive a very warm reception.
New signing Sandro Tonali will not be in action, though, due to a knock, meaning he joins Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro and Richarlison on the sidelines.
When is the Carabao up fourth-round draw?
If Liverpool knock Tottenham out in the third round, they will find out their next opponents on Wednesday night.
The draw will be broadcast on Sky Sports after Man United vs. Brighton, with the fourth round to be played in the week commencing October 26.
Who is the referee for Liverpool vs. Tottenham?
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 4, 2024: Referee Andrew Madley during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 4, 2024: Referee Andrew Madley during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. The game ended in a 3-3 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andrew Madley takes charge of Liverpool vs. Tottenham, while Wade Smith and Richard West run the lines.
Andrew Kitchen is on duty as the fourth official between Iraola and De Zerbi. There will be no VAR in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
If the score is level after 90 minutes, the tie will go straight to penalties.
Follow the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Tottenham is live on ITV 4 and Sky Sports Main Event with kick-off at 8pm (BST).
TIA’s matchday live blog will be up and running from 7.15pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with keeping you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
Iraola Szobo Grav
Iraola Szobo Grav