Joe Gomez Set for Liverpool Return in Carabao Cup Clash

Joe Gomez is ready to pull on a Liverpool shirt again. After a summer stalled by a muscle strain in July and weeks of watching from the sidelines, the England defender has been declared fit for Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Tottenham at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola confirmed the news on Monday and made it clear Gomez is now back in the frame.

“Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play,” the Liverpool boss said, leaving the door open to anything from a cautious reintroduction to a full-blooded start.

Mamardashvili in, Alisson out

There will be a change in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili has been handed the gloves, with Iraola stating the Georgian will start ahead of Alisson Becker in this third-round clash.

That decision sets the tone. This will not be a copy-and-paste of Liverpool’s Premier League XI.

“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” Iraola hinted, a clear nod towards rotation and opportunity for those on the fringes.

Endo, kids and a different Liverpool

Few stand to gain more from that promise than Wataru Endo. The Japan international has been stuck in limbo so far this season, present on the bench but yet to play a single minute. A reshuffled cup side could finally give him the platform to step into the rhythm of Liverpool’s midfield.

Youth is pushing at the door as well. Rio Ngumoha, who came off the bench in the second half against Fulham, looks a strong candidate to start. Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas, both recently limited to substitute roles, are also in contention for their first starts of the campaign.

If Iraola leans into that energy, Anfield could see a very different Liverpool — raw, quick, and desperate to impress.

Or he could turn to a newer, but more seasoned, option.

Bradley Barcola is in the middle of a heavy week and could make his third start in seven days if Iraola wants continuity for one of his key summer additions. The Frenchman’s involvement would tilt the line-up towards experience, even within a rotated side.

Isak leads the line

Up front, the options are tighter. Hugo Ekitike remains out injured, which leaves Alexander Isak as Liverpool’s only senior centre-forward. The Swede is expected to spearhead the attack again, though Cody Gakpo can shift into the middle if Iraola wants to juggle his pieces during the game.

Conor Bradley, recovering from knee surgery, will not feature. There is at least a small positive: the full-back has now started working with the ball again, a key step on his way back.

How Liverpool could line up

The predicted XI points to a 4-2-3-1, with a strong spine and plenty of fresh faces around it:

Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araujo, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Endo; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Munoz; Isak.

Injuries still bite into Iraola’s options. Ekitike, Leoni, Bradley and Chiesa are all sidelined and unavailable.

Even so, the opportunity is clear. A returning Gomez, a debut chance for Endo, kids chasing their breakthrough, and a new goalkeeper under the Anfield lights.

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. For some in red, it could be the night their season finally starts.