Liverpool v Spurs headline Carabao Cup third-round night
Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round on 15 September 2026.
Kick-off is 8pm BST. It is one of two big ties on the night, with Ipswich Town hosting Arsenal at the same time.
The Carabao Cup is England's league cup. It is a straight knockout open to Premier League and lower-league clubs, and teams playing in Europe join in at the third round BBC. This season's third round is spread over two weeks, from 8 September to 17 September.
Liverpool named Mamardashvili in goal, with Frimpong, Gomez, Araujo and Kerkez in defence. Mac Allister, Nyoni and McConnell lead the midfield, with Koumas, Gakpo and Ngumoha in attack The Guardian.
Their substitutes were Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Szoboszlai, Isak, Munoz, Barcola, Gravenberch and Chambers. Head coach Andoni Iraola had been assessing his squad in the build-up to the tie.
Tottenham started with Dubravka in goal, behind Tosin, Senesi, Gray and Udogie. Gallagher, Bergvall and Bentancur formed the midfield, with Tel, Kudus and Marmoush up front. Their bench included Kinsky, Robertson, van Hecke, Maddison, Savio, Fernandes, Solanke, Davies and van de Ven.
Spurs reached this stage with a 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic Tottenham Hotspur. There was no Video Assistant Referee, the system that reviews key decisions on video, in operation at Anfield.
At Portman Road, Ipswich Town meet Arsenal, also at 8pm BST Arsenal. Arsenal began their cup campaign in this round after being drawn away to Ipswich in late August.
Ipswich started Walton in goal, with Furlong, Kipre, Greaves and Ouattara across the back. Florentino, Nunez, McAteer, Mehmeti, Philogene and Flemming completed the side. Their substitutes were Palmer, Davis, O'Shea, Lukic, Walle Egeli, Enciso, Maeda, Clarke and Akpom The Guardian.
Arsenal picked Arrizabalaga in goal, with Salmon, Gabriel and Lewis-Skelly in defence. Zubimendi, Merino and Guimaraes played in midfield, behind Madueke, Dowman, Eze and Gyokeres. Their bench featured Meslier, Konsa, Calafiori, Ibrahim, Julienne, Tzolis, Saka, Odegaard and Havertz.
What makes this stand out is the mix. Young players get a start. Senior internationals wait on the bench. One night can shape a season for a supporter.
Virgil van Dijk said the competition has given Liverpool many wonderful memories ahead of the Spurs tie. The winners will learn their next opponents quickly, with the fourth-round draw scheduled for Wednesday night, 16 September.
