Football News

Liverpool vs Tottenham: EFL Cup Preview and Predicted Line-ups

September 15, 2026Diego Herrera5 мин

Liverpool faces the challenge of minimal rest between matches, a situation described as the "worst scenario" by Andoni Iraola. The team aims for their first home win in the domestic cup competition in their third attempt.

Following a 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid and a 0-0 draw with Fulham at Anfield, Liverpool will play Tottenham in the EFL Cup last 32. This match comes just three days after their draw with Fulham and five days before facing Iraola's former club, Bournemouth, in the Premier League.

“You notice if it’s four or five days in comparison to two or three days,” Iraola stated. “It’s a massive 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 rest so the performance level doesn’t get affected.”

While this is Liverpool's first appearance in this season's competition, Tottenham secured their sole win and goals of the season's opening five games by defeating Charlton Athletic 5-1 at home in the second round.

Another win could help alleviate concerns about Tottenham's difficult start to the campaign. They failed to score in their opening four league games, a first, after drawing 0-0 at home with Everton on Saturday. This result gave Roberto De Zerbi's team their second point of the season.

“It’s not difficult because I’m lucky to have these players and I’m convinced, 100%, of the quality of the players,” De Zerbi commented.

“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 problems [are not difficult].”

Liverpool v Tottenham: Carabao Cup Team News

Iraola indicated that Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal, replacing first-choice keeper Alisson. Joe Gomez has recovered from a muscle injury sustained during pre-season but is expected to begin on the bench.

Out with injuries are defenders Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni (knee), and forwards Federico Chiesa (muscle) and Hugo Ekitike (Achilles).

For Spurs, winger Dejan Kulusevski (knee) and full-back Pedro Porro (muscle) are sidelined. Playmaker Sandro Tonali is also out with a knock.

Midfielder Xavi Simons and wingers Mykhailo Mudryk and Wilson Odobert are also injured. However, deadline-day signing Tosin Adarabioyo might make his full debut, and full-back Destiny Udogie (knee) could return.

James Maddison was back on the bench against Everton following a shoulder issue. Forward Richarlison remains unavailable, having expressed a desire to leave.

Liverpool v Tottenham: EFL Cup Predicted Line-ups

Liverpool: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, Ronald Araujo, Milos Kerkez, Trey Nyoni, Ryan Gravenberch, Rio Ngumoha, Alexis Mac Allister, 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 v Spurs: Carabao Cup Stats and Recent Form

  • This marks the seventh encounter between the teams in the competition since 1984. The home team has won each of the last four EFL Cup matches between them.
  • Liverpool is undefeated in their last 17 home games against Tottenham, a streak dating back to May 2011. Their most recent meeting at Anfield ended in a 1-1 draw, with Richarlison scoring a 90th-minute equalizer for Spurs on March 15.
  • This draw ended Liverpool's run of three consecutive wins in the fixture, which was part of a sequence of five victories in their last six encounters with Spurs. The exception was a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-finals in 2024/25.
  • Former Liverpool player Mohamed Salah leads all scorers in the fixture's history across all competitions, with 14 goals, placing him three ahead of Spurs legend Jimmy Greaves.
  • Overall, Liverpool holds an advantage with 92 wins to Tottenham's 50, alongside 45 draws. Liverpool has scored 312 goals to Tottenham's 219.
  • With 10 EFL Cup titles, Liverpool is the competition's most successful team. Manchester City is one behind after their triumph last season.
  • Only Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United (6), Chelsea (5), and Aston Villa (5) have won the EFL Cup more times than Tottenham (4). Tottenham's last domestic trophy was their most recent EFL Cup win in 2007/08.
  • Tottenham has a record of four wins and three losses against Liverpool in the EFL Cup. However, they were eliminated 4-0 away in the 2024/25 semi-finals after a 1-0 first-leg victory.
  • Tottenham has scored more than one goal in only one of their last nine away games, failing to score on four occasions and netting a total of six goals.
  • Richarlison (3 goals) is Tottenham's current top scorer against Liverpool since May 2022 and the only player from the current squad to have scored multiple goals against Liverpool for the club.

Where to Watch Liverpool v Tottenham: TV Channel and Live Online Streams

The match kicks off on Tuesday at 8:00 PM BST (5:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT). In the UK, live television coverage will be available on ITV4, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, and Sky Sports Ultra.

Streaming options include ITV's website and the ITVX app, accessible on various devices for viewing on the go.

A day pass for Sky Sports via Now TV costs £14.99, a monthly membership is £27.99 for a 12-month commitment, or £34.99 per month without a contract.

Liverpool v Tottenham: EFL Cup Prediction

Despite anticipated team changes, both sides are expected to field attacking talent eager to impress. The match is likely to be entertaining and could potentially go to penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.

Predicted Score: 2 – 2