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place
- Anfield
Liverpool’s lack of rest between games is the “worst-case scenario”, says Andoni Iraola, as the manager targets his first home win at the third attempt.
After a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid and a 0-0 draw with Fulham at Anfield last week, the Reds face Tottenham in the EFL Cup last 32 three days after being retained by the Cottagers and five days before visiting Iraola’s former side Bournemouth in the Premier League.
“You notice if it’s four or five days versus two or three days,” he said forever. “It’s a huge difference, but it is what it is.
“We are in a process where I have to learn who is ready to play three or four games in a row every two or three days and who needs a break so that the performance level is not affected.”
While Liverpool are making their first appearance in the competition this season, Tottenham they enjoyed their only win and scored their only goals from their first five games of the campaign as they thrashed Charlton Athletic 5–1 at home in the second round.
Another win could soften some of the shock to the start of the campaign for Spurs, who failed to score in their opening four league games for the first time as a 0-0 draw at home to Everton on Saturday gave Roberto De Zerbi’s side their second point.
“It is not difficult because I am lucky to have these players and I am convinced, 100%, of the quality of the players,” said De Zerbi.
“I love the players as players, (for their) qualities … and as guys. It’s difficult because there are many, many good players, but (the) other issues (are not difficult).”
Liverpool v Tottenham: Carabao Cup team news
Iraola says Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in place of first-choice goalkeeper Alisson. Joe Gomez has recovered from a muscle injury the defender suffered in pre-season but is likely to start on the bench.
Defenders Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni (knee) and forwards Federico Chiesa (muscle) and Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) are out.
Winger Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and full-back Pedro Porro (muscle) are out for Spurs, as is playmaker Sandro Tonali with a knock.
Midfielder Xavi Simons and wides Mykhailo Mudryk and Wilson Odobert are also injured, but signing Tosin Adarabioyo could make his full debut and full-back Destiny Udogie (knee) could return.
James Maddison returned to the bench against Everton after the midfielder’s shoulder problem. Striker Richarlison remains out of the squad, having said he wants to leave.
Liverpool v Tottenham: Predicted EFL Cup line-ups
Liverpool: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Ronald Araujo, Milos Kerkez, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha, Alexis MacAllister, Cody Gakpo, Lewis Koumas
Tottenham: Martin Dubravka, Archie Gray, Marcos Senesi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Lucas Bergvall, Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher, Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke, Omar Marmoush, Mathys Tel.
Liverpool-Spurs: Carabao Cup stats, recent form
- This will be the seventh time the teams have met in the competition since 1984, with the home side winning each of the last four EFL Cup games between the clubs.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in 17 visits to Tottenham since May 2011, although one of their five draws along the way came in the last such game, when Richarlison’s 90th-minute equalizer earned Spurs a 1-1 draw in the Premier League on March 15.
- This ended Liverpool’s run of three straight wins in the game as part of a run of five wins from six meetings with Spurs, with the exception of a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals in 2024/25.
- Former Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is the game’s top scorer in all competitions, scoring 14 goals to move the Egyptian captain three ahead of Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves.
- In total, in all competitions, Liverpool have 92 wins to Tottenham’s 50 in the game, with 45 draws and the Reds lead 312-219 on aggregate.
- Having won the EFL Cup 10 times, Liverpool are the most successful team in the competition’s history, although Manchester City were one behind them when they triumphed last season.
- Only Liverpool, City, Manchester United (6), Chelsea (5) and Aston Villa (5) have won the EFL Cup more times than Tottenham (4), whose most recent win in 2007/08 was their last domestic trophy.
- Tottenham have won four and lost three of their EFL Cup meetings with Liverpool, although they were knocked out with a 4-0 home defeat in the most recent of the 2024/25 semi-finals after that 1-0 first-leg win.
- Spurs have scored more than one goal in one of their last nine away games, conceding four goals en route to a total of six goals.
- No current Tottenham player has scored more goals for the club against Liverpool than Richarlison (3), who is their top scorer in the game since May 2022.
Where to watch Liverpool-Tottenham: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Tuesday is 20:00 BST (17:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV4, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra.
The transmission is via ITV website and the ITVX app, which is available on a variety of devices for viewing on the go.
road Now the televisionSky Sports costs £14.99 for a daily subscription, £27.99 a month for a 12-month subscription or £34.99 a month without a contract.
Liverpool v Tottenham: EFL Cup Prediction
Liverpool
2-2
Tottenham
Despite the expected raft of changes, there should be a wealth of attacking talent involved with motivation to impress. Expect entertainment in a tie that will go to penalties if the scores are tied after 90 minutes.
