Liverpool will host Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup), the draw confirmed on 26 August. The tie is set to be played in one of the midweeks across the weeks commencing 7 and 14 September 2026.
- Liverpool will host Tottenham in the EFL (Carabao) Cup third round.
- The third-round ties are scheduled across the midweeks beginning 7 and 14 September 2026; the exact kick-off for Liverpool v Tottenham is not yet confirmed.
- The third-round draw included nine Premier League clubs entering at this stage; other notable ties include Man United v Brighton and Man City v Norwich.
What the draw delivered
The third-round draw produced a high-profile all-Premier League tie at Anfield with Liverpool drawn to face Tottenham. The draw — which included the nine Premier League teams involved in European competition entering at this stage — is not regionalised, so other notable ties include Manchester United hosting Brighton and holders Manchester City welcoming Norwich.
Why this tie matters
For Liverpool, the EFL Cup remains a realistic route to silverware and Anfield offers a challenging midweek venue for any visiting side. Tottenham make the trip to Merseyside less than three weeks before an international break and with domestic fixtures either side of the scheduled cup midweeks, meaning squad management will be important for both managers.
Immediate context for both clubs
- Liverpool enter as one of the competition’s historically most successful clubs and will start their Carabao Cup campaign at the third-round stage.
- Tottenham arrive having met Liverpool in the competition recently; the clubs also faced each other in the 2024/25 EFL Cup semi-finals, with Spurs eliminated on aggregate that season.
When the match will be played
The third round is scheduled across two midweeks due to European scheduling. Fixtures are due in the weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September 2026. Specific clubs involved in the champions League will be allocated to midweeks to avoid clashes with UEFA fixtures; the third round draw process placed the champions League and Europa League clubs into the first eight fixtures to manage who plays home or away.
Broadcast and scheduling notes
UK broadcasters are expected to show Carabao Cup matches live. Coverage of the third-round draw and the match selection in the UK was overseen by Sky Sports. Exact kick-off date and kick-off time for Liverpool v Tottenham will be confirmed when EFL and the clubs finalise the scheduling within the two available midweeks.
How this fits into the calendar
The tie falls between early Premier League fixtures and the international window. Broadly, clubs involved in European competition and domestic cup ties face a congested schedule in September, so managers often rotate their squads in cup ties — though approach varies by club and by manager depending on priorities and squad depth.
Third-round draw: full list of ties
The draw produced these third-round fixtures (as reported at the time of the draw):
- Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough
- Manchester United vs Brighton
- Manchester City vs Norwich
- Sunderland vs Hull
- Ipswich vs Arsenal
- Coventry vs Aston Villa
- Bournemouth vs Lincoln
- Liverpool vs Tottenham
- Chelsea vs Leeds (subject to Chelsea/Luton result)
- Millwall vs Newcastle
- Fleetwood vs Sheffield United
- Everton vs Wolves
- Leyton Orient vs Bradford
- Reading vs Brentford
- Peterborough vs Barnsley
- West Ham vs Fulham
What comes next
Both clubs and the EFL will confirm the exact date and kick-off time within the designated midweeks. For Liverpool and Tottenham, the result will influence short-term rotation decisions in the Premier League and may shape early-season momentum: progression extends each side’s run in a cup competition that often provides competitive minutes for squad players and a path to knockout-stage ties later in the season.
Practical implications for supporters
- Supporters should watch Liverpool and Tottenham club channels and official EFL communications for the confirmed date, kick-off time and ticketing information.
- Broadcast arrangements in the UK are likely to be announced alongside fixture confirmation; fans outside the UK should check their local broadcasters for coverage updates.
Timeline — key dates from the competition
- Third round: weeks commencing 7 September and 14 September 2026
- Fourth round: week commencing 26 October 2026
- Quarter-finals: week commencing 14 December 2026
- Semi-final first legs: week commencing 11 January 2027
- Semi-final second legs: week commencing 1 February 2027
- Final: Sunday 21 March 2027
Sources and notes
This article is based on the third-round draw published on 26 August 2026 and reported by multiple outlets. Specific phrasing in this report quotes the official draw outcomes; exact kick-off times and final broadcast choices remain subject to confirmation by the clubs and competition organisers.