Liverpool to face Tottenham in EFL Cup third round

WHAT HAPPENED
Liverpool have been drawn to face Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup, the stage at which Premier League clubs involved in European competition join the tournament. Other notable third-round ties include Manchester United against Brighton and holders Manchester City hosting Norwich. Lower-league Fleetwood, the only League Two side remaining, will entertain Sheffield United.

A set of matches will fill the weeks beginning Monday 7 and Monday 14 September to avoid clashing with the early rounds of the Champions League and Europa League. Two final third-round spots will be settled on Thursday when Chelsea play Luton (19:30 BST) and Fulham meet AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST).

KEY CONTEXT
Nine Premier League clubs who are competing in Europe enter the EFL Cup at this third-round stage: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Sunderland. The competition’s calendar has been adjusted so these ties do not overlap with continental fixtures. Fleetwood remain the only fourth-tier team still in the draw.

WHY IT MATTERS
Top-flight clubs involved in European competition joining at this round produces high-profile matchups early in the domestic cup calendar, exemplified by Liverpool v Tottenham and Manchester City hosting Norwich. The presence of a single lower-league side, Fleetwood, creates a potential upset storyline, while the Chelsea/Luton and Fulham/AFC Wimbledon results will finalise the third-round lineup.

WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The Chelsea v Luton and Fulham v AFC Wimbledon games on Thursday will complete the draw’s remaining fixtures. After those results are known, the full third-round schedule — played across the two weeks beginning 7 and 14 September — will be set.

KEY FACTS
- Liverpool drawn to play Tottenham in the Carabao Cup third round.
- Manchester United face Brighton; Manchester City host Norwich.
- Fleetwood are the only fourth-tier club left and will host Sheffield United.
- Nine Premier League clubs in European competition enter at this stage: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Sunderland.
- Chelsea v Luton (19:30 BST) and Fulham v AFC Wimbledon (20:00 BST) on Thursday will decide the last two third-round entrants.
- Third-round matches take place in the weeks commencing Monday 7 and Monday 14 September.