Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur turn their attention to the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening when the Premier League rivals meet at Anfield in the third round.

Both sides arrive with questions to answer following goalless Premier League draws at the weekend, but the pressure is particularly intense on Roberto De Zerbi after Tottenham failed to score in any of their opening four league fixtures. The occasion also marks Andrew Robertson’s first return to Anfield since ending his nine-year Liverpool career and joining Spurs.

Analysis

Liverpool

Andoni Iraola can point to Liverpool’s unbeaten start as evidence that his new-look side is moving in the right direction, but Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham highlighted some significant problems.

Liverpool struggled to turn possession into meaningful chances and produced one of their least convincing attacking displays of the campaign. Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch were unable to exert sufficient control, with the balance of Iraola’s midfield remaining a work in progress.

The Reds have consequently taken only six points from their opening four Premier League matches. Three draws have already left them playing catch-up, even if it remains far too early for the league table to carry much significance.

Their Champions League performance against Atletico Madrid offered a glimpse of what Iraola is trying to build. Liverpool played with far greater intensity in that 2-1 victory, pressing aggressively and moving the ball forward with greater purpose than they managed against Fulham.

The challenge is reproducing that intensity while managing a demanding schedule. Tuesday represents Liverpool’s fourth game in a relatively short period, and Iraola is expected to make extensive changes. The EFL Cup may sit below the Premier League and Champions League on the club’s list of priorities, but Liverpool’s history in the competition makes it difficult to dismiss.

No club has lifted the League Cup more often than Liverpool, who will be pursuing an 11th triumph this season. Trey Nyoni should be among those given an opportunity in midfield, potentially alongside Alexis Mac Allister, while Lewis Koumas is another candidate for a starting role further forward.

Cody Gakpo could lead the attack, and Wataru Endo is in line for his first appearance of the campaign. The Japanese international may be required in central defence as Iraola attempts to rest several regular starters.

Liverpool’s rotation introduces an element of uncertainty, but Anfield and the depth available to Iraola should still give the hosts confidence of progressing.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham’s problems are much harder to disguise. De Zerbi’s team have collected only two points from their opening four Premier League fixtures, but the greater concern is an extraordinary failure to score a single league goal.

Defeats against Brentford and Nottingham Forest have been accompanied by draws with Newcastle and Everton, leaving a club that invested heavily during the summer sitting near the bottom of the early standings.

Saturday’s stalemate with Everton did little to reduce the pressure. For a coach whose reputation has been built around adventurous, possession-oriented football, overseeing four successive Premier League matches without a goal is particularly uncomfortable. Tottenham desperately need their expensive collection of attacking players to begin producing.

That makes the EFL Cup more important than it might ordinarily have been. Progress at Anfield would provide an immediate lift and buy De Zerbi valuable breathing space, while another toothless attacking performance would inevitably increase scrutiny of the Italian’s start in North London.

The visitors may consequently field a stronger side than Liverpool. Mateus Fernandes and former Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali are among the senior players who could start, while Tuesday should also provide one of the evening’s major storylines through Robertson.

The Scotland international spent nine seasons with Liverpool before leaving at the end of his contract this summer. Having won virtually every major honour available during his time on Merseyside, his first competitive appearance at Anfield in Tottenham colours is certain to generate plenty of attention.

Robertson should start on the left, while Archie Gray could retain his position at right-back. Pedro Porro missed the Everton game with a muscle problem and there is little incentive to risk the Spaniard in a third-round cup tie.

Tottenham’s recent record against Liverpool hardly inspires confidence either. Spurs have managed only two victories from the clubs’ last 20 meetings, losing 14.

One of those successes came in the first leg of their 2024-25 EFL Cup semi-final, only for Liverpool to emphatically overturn the deficit at Anfield in the return.

Verdict

Rotation makes cup ties like this difficult to assess purely on league form, but Liverpool still appear to hold the stronger hand.

Iraola’s team have hardly been convincing domestically, yet they remain unbeaten and their Champions League victory over Atletico demonstrated what they can produce when their pressing and attacking combinations click.

Tottenham’s situation is considerably more worrying. Four Premier League matches without a goal is a remarkable statistic given the investment made in De Zerbi’s squad, and the pressure surrounding the visitors will only intensify for as long as that drought continues.

Liverpool’s changes should give Spurs opportunities, but a fresher Reds attack may also benefit from facing a Tottenham side less inclined to sit deep than Fulham were at the weekend.

We expect a more entertaining Liverpool performance and another difficult evening for De Zerbi.

Our prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur.

Tip

Our tip: Liverpool to win.