Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur meet in third round of the 2026/27 Carabao Cup on Tuesday at 8pm.
It will be a welcome break for both sides after struggling at the start of the new league season. Liverpool have won just one of their first four league games this season, beating newly-promoted Ipswich Town. They did also beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, but Andoni Iraola’s men go into this game off the back of a goalless draw with Fulham at Anfield.
Tottenham, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win in the league. In fact, they’re still searching for their first goals. Roberto De Zerbi’s men have drawn two and lost two of their first four league games, with back-to-back goalless draws. They have, however, won a game in the Carabao Cup, beating Championship side Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the second round.
The Reds are unbeaten in their past four games in this fixture, including a 4-0 win in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final in 2024/25.
Liverpool vs Tottenham team news
Liverpool team news
Carabao Cup ties are usually a chance for managers to rotate, especially when against lower-league opposition. But the draw hasn’t been kind to Liverpool, and Iraola could do with a win. So there may not be too many changes. One change may come in goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili given a rare chance to start. He started three of Liverpool’s six domestic cup games last season.
Milos Kerkez could also come back into the team after losing his spot to Kostas Tsimikas. There may be a start for Jeremie Frimpong on the right side of the defence, with Ronald Araujo getting a rest. Joe Gomez could return to the squad after injury, but it will be a risk for Iraola to start the Englishman.
After coming off the bench at the weekend, Alexis Mac Allister could replace Ryan Gravenberch in the midfield. And Cody Gakpo could replace Bradley Barcola. Rio Ngumoha will be hoping for a start having lost his place to Victor Munoz. But Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak could all keep their places in the team.
Liverpool remain without Federico Chiesa, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Conor Bradley.
Tottenham team news
De Zerbi is in a bigger need of a win than Iraola. And he’s also in a more precarious position when it comes to team selection. Pedro Porro isn’t expected to be available after missing the weekend’s goalless draw with Everton. Mykhailo Mudryk, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons are also out. Sandro Tonali is absent after a knock, but Destiny Udogie is expected to be available.
Antonin Kinsky should remain in goal having started the second-round with over Charlton, with Martin Dubravka on the bench. The back four is unlikely to be changed too, giving Andy Robertson a swift Anfield return. Lucas Bergvall is likely to replace the injured Tonali alongside Rodrigo Bentancur.
Tottenham fans will be hoping to see Omar Marmoush played in a more central role, and he could lead the line at Anfield. Dominic Solanke struggled to get involved at the weekend and might drop to the bench. Mohammed Kudus will also push for a start in the attack, which may see Savio switched to the left. Mathys Tel appears to be on De Zerbi’s bad side, so may have to make to with another substitute role.
Liverpool vs Tottenham predicted lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Kinsky; Gray, van Hecke, van de Ven, Robertson; Bentancur, Bergvall; Kudus, Fernandes, Savio; Marmoush.