Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield on Tuesday night for a League Cup third-round clash that could provide both sides with a much-needed lift.
The Reds enter the contest unbeaten under Andoni Iraola but were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Fulham at the weekend.
Tottenham are in an even more precarious position, having failed to win any of their opening four Premier League matches. They are still waiting for their first league goal of the campaign.
With both managers likely to rotate their squads, the tie will give fringe players a chance to stake their claim.
Liverpool looking to bounce back
Liverpool’s start to the season has been mixed despite their unbeaten record. They have collected six points from their opening four league matches and currently sit seventh in the table.
Their 2-1 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid is their only win in three home games this term.
The Fulham draw exposed some of the Reds’ problems, with Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch among the players who struggled to make an impact.
Iraola is also managing a demanding schedule, with Liverpool playing three matches in seven days.
The Spaniard has admitted that some players can cope with such a workload better than others.
Giorgi Mamardashvili is confirmed to start in goal, replacing Alisson Becker, while Joe Gomez is available again after recovering from the muscle problem that kept him out since pre-season.
Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are unavailable.
Spurs desperate for a response
Tottenham’s early-season struggles have been more severe.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side have taken only two points from four Premier League matches and sit 17th. Their failure to score in the league represents their worst-ever start in terms of goals scored.
That makes Tuesday’s cup tie particularly important.
De Zerbi has insisted that he wants his players to approach the League Cup with the same attitude and spirit as their Premier League fixtures, while also acknowledging that several players need more minutes.
The Italian has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, but Tottenham have struggled to turn promising situations into goals.
De Zerbi believes Dominic Solanke, Savio and Omar Marmoush can provide the necessary quality, although he has called for better decisions and more aggression in the final third.
Tottenham will be without Sandro Tonali, Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro, while Richarlison is also unavailable.
Destiny Udogie is fit again after missing the Everton draw.
De Zerbi could still field a strong side, with Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel among those expected to get minutes.
James Maddison could also benefit as he continues to work towards full match fitness.
Former Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson could return to his old home as a Tottenham player after leaving the Reds in the summer.
Head-to-head record favours Liverpool
Recent history heavily favours Liverpool. Spurs have won just two of their last 20 meetings with the Reds, losing 14 times.
Liverpool also have fond memories of their most recent League Cup meeting.
Tottenham won the first leg of their 2025 semi-final 1-0, but Liverpool responded emphatically with a 4-0 victory at Anfield to progress.
That record will give the hosts confidence, although cup football can quickly change the equation.
Liverpool have the deeper squad and home advantage, but their need to rotate could give Tottenham a genuine opportunity.
However, Spurs are under enormous pressure to finally produce an attacking performance.