Carabao Cup 3rd round draw in full: Liverpool host Spurs as Robertson returns

Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur is edging closer, with Anfield set to host one of the standout ties of the round. This update, published on 25 September 2026, brings the latest on liverpool vs spurs, including where things stand with Joe Gomez’s fitness and Andy Robertson’s return to his old ground.

Carabao Cup Update: Liverpool Prepare to Host Tottenham

The draw paired Liverpool with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round. Spurs earned their place with a 5-1 win over Charlton Athletic, a scoreline that hints at the firepower Liverpool will need to contain on the night.

Third-round ties in the competition are traditionally played in the midweek of 15, 16 or 17 September, placing this meeting early in the season’s cup schedule. Supporters will remember the sides’ previous Carabao Cup tie at Anfield and will hope for a similar outcome this time round.

Anfield Tie Sets Up Andy Robertson Reunion

The draw also means a return to Anfield for Andy Robertson, who left Liverpool for Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer in July. It will be his first match back at his old home ground since the move, and it comes under Roberto De Zerbi, the manager who signed him.

Facing his former teammates so soon after leaving adds an extra layer of interest to liverpool vs spurs, and Anfield will no doubt have its own reaction ready for a player who spent so long in red.

Roberto De Zerbi Welcomes Anfield Challenge

Speaking after the draw, Roberto De Zerbi made clear he relishes the early test at Anfield. Asked about facing Liverpool, he said:

Great. Is a great game. If we want to win the competition, you have to win the games. Sometimes you can play in the beginning against a big, big team. Is a great challenge for the players and for me.

De Zerbi’s comments, given in his post-match press conference and reported first in Roberto De Zerbi’s initial reaction, show a manager happy to treat the trip as an early marker for his new-look Tottenham squad rather than a draw to be feared.

Joe Gomez Set to Return to Action Against Tottenham Hotspur

Liverpool supporters searching for news on Joe Gomez ahead of this tie will find no firm confirmation yet from the club on his involvement. His fitness has been a point of discussion in the build-up, but Liverpool have not announced a matchday squad or starting lineup for the Tottenham game.

Until Andoni Iraola names his side, Gomez’s involvement remains a matter for team news on the day rather than an established fact. Fans should check recent Liverpool team news for the latest confirmed squad details as they emerge, rather than relying on speculation about who starts against Spurs.

What Happens Next for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup

Liverpool head into the tie fresh off an away win against Bournemouth, giving Iraola some momentum before Tottenham arrive at Anfield. A win over Spurs would move Liverpool into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Separately, under UEFA’s league phase rules for the Champions League, no fixture can be played at the same stadium in three consecutive seasons. That rule shapes Anfield’s broader European calendar this season, though it has no bearing on the Carabao Cup draw against Tottenham.

For now, the focus stays on the cup tie itself. This liverpool vs spurs meeting will be one of the standout ties of the third round, with Robertson’s return and De Zerbi’s approach adding real intrigue to a game Iraola’s side will want to win on home soil.

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Nazira Yusuf is a freelance football journalist covering Liverpool FC, Crystal Palace FC, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. Also covering women’s football. Naz produces breaking news, match reports, interviews while also developing expertise in video journalism, social media and digital publishing.

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