Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the EFL Cup. Liverpool were held to a draw by Fulham at the weekend, making it three draws from their opening five matches, while Spurs are still searching for their first Premier League goal after already advancing through one round of the competition.
The Reds have made a mixed start to the campaign, recording two victories alongside three draws. Wins over Ipswich Town and Atletico Madrid were accompanied by draws against Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham, with the focus now switching to a competition Liverpool have won ten times.
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Tottenham have found goals hard to come by, picking up only two points from their opening four Premier League fixtures. Consecutive 0-0 draws against Nottingham Forest and Everton have brought two clean sheets, while a 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic secured their place in the third round. Spurs have won the EFL Cup four times, with their most recent triumph coming in 2008.
Liverpool vs Tottenham: Team News for EFL Cup Tie
Liverpool Team News
Andoni Iraola has indicated that the EFL Cup tie will give several Liverpool players with limited minutes this season the chance to feature.
Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Federico Chiesa will all miss out as they continue their respective recoveries from injury. Joe Gomez, meanwhile, is available after missing the start of the season through injury.
There will also be a change between the posts, with Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to replace Alisson. The Brazilian has featured in every minute of Liverpool’s season so far.
A number of changes are expected elsewhere, potentially opening the door for Wataru Endo, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas to make their first starts of the season, while Jeremie Frimpong and Cody Gakpo could also return to the lineup.
The cup tie will likely give Liverpool’s fringe players an opportunity to impress Iraola, while some of the regular starters are given a rest during a period containing three games in seven days.
Tottenham Hotspur Team News
Roberto De Zerbi suggested following the Everton match that the EFL Cup provides an opportunity to involve some of his other players while he continues monitoring the fitness and physical condition of the squad.
Tottenham remain without Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Xavi Simons and Mykhailo Mudryk. The latter picked up an ankle injury during training last week after signing on loan from Chelsea on deadline day.
Pedro Porro is also still unavailable after missing the Everton game, while Sandro Tonali will not be involved after picking up a knock.
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Although Richarlison is available despite his exclusion from Tottenham’s Premier League squad, De Zerbi has confirmed that the Brazilian will not play against Liverpool.
Destiny Udogie is back in contention after missing the weekend draw, with further changes also possible. Lucas Bergvall, Mathys Tel, Marcos Senesi and Ben Davies are among the players who could be brought into the side.
Liverpool Confirmed Lineup
Starting XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gakpo, Frimpong, Araujo, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Subs: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Szoboszlai, Isak, Munoz, Barcola, Gravenberch, Chambers.
Tottenham Confirmed Lineup
Starting XI: Dúbravka; Tosin, Senesi, Gallagher, Tel, Udogie, Gray (C), Bergvall, Kudus, Marmoush, Bentancur.
Subs: Kinsky, Robertson, Van Hecke, Maddison, Sávio, Fernandes, Solanke, Davies, Van de Ven.
The Last Word: Prediction
Tottenham have struggled at Anfield historically, recording only eight victories there with their most recent success coming in 2011. However, with both sides likely to make significant changes, this could be a difficult game to call, with the strength of each lineup potentially proving crucial.
Liverpool may name a weaker side on paper, although Iraola has plenty of quality available from the bench should the hosts need to bring on some of their heavy-hitters.
Tottenham will therefore need to make the most of their chances and ideally take the lead before Liverpool can turn to their stronger options, as chasing the game at Anfield under the lights would be a challenging task.
A tight encounter is expected, but Liverpool’s greater quality could ultimately make the difference and see them progress by a single goal.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
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