Liverpool travel to the Carabao Cup third round with a clear target: turn a season of mixed signals into tangible progress. Under Andoni Iraola, the Reds have amassed six points from four Premier League fixtures, but only one of those victories has come at Anfield. A goalless draw against Fulham exposed a lack of cutting edge in the final third, prompting questions about the squad’s attacking cohesion. Yet the side arrived in mid‑week buoyed by a 2‑1 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid, a result that hinted at the high‑pressing intensity Iraola is trying to embed.

Tottenham Hotspur arrive in Liverpool with a different narrative. The Lilywhites have failed to score in their last four Premier League outings, a drought that has left the club desperate for a breakthrough. Their recent 5‑1 demolition of Charlton Athletic in the previous Carabao Cup round offered a glimpse of potency, but the step up to a top‑flight opponent remains a stern test. The odds market reflects this disparity, positioning Liverpool as overwhelming favourites to progress to the last 16.

Iraola’s tactical blueprint for Tuesday leans on a refreshed spine. Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, who saw limited minutes last season, is projected to start at centre‑back, providing a disciplined platform for a back line still adjusting after the departures of Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andrew Robertson. In midfield, a partnership of Trey Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister is expected to sit behind the emerging Lewis Koumas, offering both defensive cover and forward thrust. On the flanks, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz are slated to stretch Tottenham’s compact defence, their pace aligning with Iraola’s aggressive, high‑pressing approach. The unfamiliar defensive unit could, however, leave spaces for Spurs to exploit on the