The Carabao Cup is back this week with Liverpool and Everton both in the draw for the third round
A general view of the Carabao Cup trophy prior to the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Doncaster Rovers and Everton at Keepmoat Stadium.
The Carabao Cup is back this week. (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
The Carabao Cup returns this week, with Everton hoping to make it through to the third round and Liverpool keeping an eye on proceedings.
Liverpool's involvement in European action this season means that they enter the competition at the third round stage and will be part of the forthcoming draw. They won't have to wait too long to discover their potential opponents.
To guarantee their place in the draw, Everton will have to overcome League One side Mansfield in their second round clash. The game takes place at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off).
both Liverpool and Everton will be aiming to progress as far as possible this time around, with the Reds finalists last year. However, similar to last year, there will be some alterations to the third round draw.
Here's everything you need to know.
When is the draw?
The Carabao Cup third round draw is scheduled for Wednesday, 27 August, 2025, following the conclusion of the second round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United. The draw will be broadcast live on Sky Sports around 10pm.
Changes to the draw rules.
Similar to last year, there will be some modifications to the third round draw due to the expansion of the European competitions. The schedule dictates that teams competing in Europe (excluding Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League) will not face each other in the third round.
Two separate bowls will be used for the draw, with the eight European teams in one and the remaining 24 clubs in the other. A pre-draw will then take place to determine whether the European teams are playing at home or away.
That first draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports prior to the match between Grimsby and Man United, with the main draw happening after the game.
The first eight ties will consist of one of the European teams drawn against one of the teams from the other bowl. The remaining eight matches will then be drawn solely from the second bowl.
When will the third round matches be played?
The Carabao Cup third round fixtures will span over two weeks, with the first set being played in the week commencing 15 September and the second in the week starting 22 September.
Will there be extra time in the third round?
No, consistent with previous rounds of the Carabao Cup, the third round ties will proceed directly to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes, with no extra time being played.
There is also no VAR in operation in the third round of the Carabao Cup.