Liverpool will face Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carabao Cup but could have several players unavailable for selection
Andoni Iraola, manager of Liverpool
Andoni Iraola, manager of Liverpool(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are both expected to have 11 players between them unavailable when they meet in the Carabao Cup. The Reds will host Spurs at Anfield on Tuesday night in the third round of the competition.
Andoni Iraola’s side go into the game on Merseyside on the back of a goalless draw with Fulham in the Premier League over the weekend, a result which means Liverpool have just one win from their opening four games in the top flight.
Spurs were also forced to settle for a point at the weekend as they, too, battled out a goalless draw in their Premier League match at home to Everton.
Liverpool will now enter the third round of the League Cup looking to advance, but will do so with several players unavailable for selection.
Iraola is guaranteed to be without Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike, who all remain sidelined with their respective long-term injuries.
Leoni has been recovering from an ACL injury since last September, but could make his return to training after the international break next month. Bradley and Ekitike, meanwhile, are still several months away from returning to the first-team picture for Liverpool.
The Reds will also be without Federico Chiesa, who has not featured so far this season after picking up an injury during pre-season.
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Liverpool will have Joe Gomez available, as Iraola said: "Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play."
On Leoni, Iraola said earlier this month: "I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the break, with the group. I think even Fede should be around those dates and probably Conor, and especially Hugo, will go later, yes.”
Meanwhile, Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi confirmed he will be without a large number of players. Long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert are a way away from being fully fit and will not compete against Liverpool.
Joe Gomez of Liverpool during the training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 at Anfield on September 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Gomez will be available to face Spurs(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
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Earlier this month, when asked about Kulusevski, De Zerbi said: "Kulusevski is not working with us in the last week. It’s not a big problem, it’s a normal problem when one player is out for a long time, like Mudryk.”
He also went on to say £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali will miss the clash with the Reds. De Zerbi has also made it clear that Richarlison will not feature after his failed transfer attempts, by simply saying: "Richarlison, you already know everything."
Pedro Porro will also not recover in time to face Spurs, but left-back Destiny Udogie, who was absent against Everton, will be available.
IDe Zerbi said: "Kulusevski not available, Pedro still not available, Udogie yes. No Sandro Tonali, he felt a knock. Richarlison, you already know everything, so nothing changes with the Carabao Cup or Premier League."
Spurs will also be without Mykhailo Mudryk, who suffered an ankle injury earlier this month and faces a spell on the sidelines following his loan move from Chelsea.