Andoni Iraola is making moves! Liverpool is hosting Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday, and Iraola is looking for his first domestic cup victory since he took the reins at Anfield this summer. This ain’t just any game, folks; a win here moves Liverpool one step closer to an insane record-extending 11th League Cup triumph. The stakes are huge, and the squad is feeling it.
Iraola’s Rotation Gamble and the Fulham Hangover
Let’s be real: Liverpool has been grinding, playing a game every two to three days for over a week now. Iraola has been totally upfront about the grind, saying he needs to manage his squad’s workload carefully, especially with a super demanding October looming. This isn’t just about managing minutes, though. After what was called a “flat display” against Fulham on Saturday, you know Iraola is itching to shake things up and get some fire back in the squad.
The team news confirms some big shifts. We already knew Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, and Giovanni Leoni are out long-term, which is a bummer, but not a surprise. Here’s the kicker though: Joe Gomez is back in training after his pre-season muscle injury and he’s been confirmed as available. That means Iraola has the option to actually rest Virgil van Dijk for the first time this season. That’s a massive decision right there!
The Predicted XI and What It Means
But the biggest headline? Giorgi Mamardashvili is confirmed to start in goal, taking Alisson’s spot. Whoa. That’s a statement! Iraola is expected to make several other changes, clearly trying to inject some fresh energy. Trey Nyoni is set to come into midfield, possibly alongside Alexis Mac Allister, which is exciting for the young gun. And get this: Wataru Endo could make his first appearance of the season, likely at centre-back. Cody Gakpo is a candidate to lead the line, so we could see some serious offensive punch.
So, the Liverpool predicted starting XI (running a 4-2-3-1 formation) looks like this: Mamardashvili between the sticks; Frimpong, Araujo, Endo, Tsimikas across the back; Mac Allister and Nyoni holding down the midfield; with Ngumoha, Koumas, and Munoz pushing forward; and Gakpo leading the charge up top. That’s a lot of changes, and it shows Iraola isn’t messing around.
Cup Glory or Early Exit? This Match Kicks Off Tonight!
This Carabao Cup third-round clash is set to kick off at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. This isn’t just another game on the calendar; it’s a critical test for Iraola’s leadership and the squad’s depth. Can this revamped lineup bring the energy and secure that crucial domestic cup win, or will Spurs capitalize on the rotation? Every single pass and tackle will count. You won’t want to miss a second of this!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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