Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Tottenham Hotspur has been moved.
The Reds will now face Spurs at Anfield on Tuesday, September 15, with kick-off at 8pm.
And the reason for the change is rather unusual.
The fixture has been moved so that Everton’s meeting with Wolves can take place the following evening, without clashing with Liverpool’s Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool’s new date
Liverpool were originally scheduled to face Tottenham on a different date, but the Carabao Cup fixture has now been brought forward.
The new details are:
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Tuesday, September 15
8pm
Anfield
Carabao Cup third round
It’s another midweek fixture for Andoni Iraola’s side at what is already going to be an incredibly busy period.
Champions League comes first
Liverpool’s Champions League campaign gets underway just a few days earlier when Atletico Madrid visit Anfield.
That game is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, meaning the Reds will already have European football to contend with before facing Tottenham in the Carabao Cup.
Moving the Spurs game to Tuesday therefore gives Liverpool an extra day compared with playing it on Wednesday.
It may not sound like much, but when you’re competing on multiple fronts, every day of recovery can be important.
Why has Everton’s game affected Liverpool?
The rearrangement is primarily about avoiding a clash involving Everton’s fixture against Wolves.
With Liverpool playing Atletico Madrid on the Wednesday, Everton’s game has been moved to the following day.
That has then required Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie with Tottenham to be moved to Tuesday.
It’s a reminder of just how complicated the fixture calendar becomes once Premier League clubs start competing in Europe and domestic cup competitions.
One fixture moves, and suddenly several others have to be rearranged around it.
Tottenham will provide a serious test
Regardless of the reason for the change, Liverpool have been handed a difficult Carabao Cup tie.
Tottenham are exactly the sort of opponent you don’t necessarily want in the third round.
It means Iraola could have to make some difficult decisions over his team selection.
Does he rotate heavily?
Does he give opportunities to some of Liverpool’s younger players?
Or does he take the competition seriously from the beginning and field a strong side?
With the Champions League and Premier League taking priority, squad management will be crucial.
Another test of Liverpool’s squad depth
This is perhaps the biggest issue for me.
Liverpool already have concerns over the depth of their squad.
There are going to be injuries.
There are going to be suspensions.
And now there are going to be weeks where Liverpool are playing every few days.
The Carabao Cup can therefore be both an opportunity and a problem.
It’s an opportunity for players who aren’t regular starters to prove themselves.
But it’s another fixture that has to be squeezed into an already packed calendar.
Iraola’s first Carabao Cup
This will also be an interesting occasion for Iraola.
It’s his first Carabao Cup campaign as Liverpool manager, and Tottenham immediately provide a difficult challenge.
He’ll have to balance the importance of progressing with protecting his key players.
For the younger members of the squad, however, this could be a brilliant opportunity.
Players such as Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha could potentially benefit from cup football if Iraola decides to rotate.
My verdict
I’m actually quite happy with the move to Tuesday.
Liverpool will have played Atletico Madrid the previous Wednesday, so having the Tottenham game on Tuesday rather than Wednesday gives Iraola’s squad a little more recovery time.
It’s still a demanding schedule though.
And let’s be honest, Liverpool v Tottenham at Anfield under the lights sounds pretty good to me.
The Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid comes first.
Then Tottenham.
Two big games.
Two huge tests.
And another early indication of just how demanding this season is going to be for Iraola and his Liverpool squad.
Tuesday, September 15. 8pm. Anfield.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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