Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool in Carabao Cup Clash
Joe Gomez is set to pull a Liverpool shirt back on at last, with the defender cleared to return in time for tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham at Anfield.
The England international has not played a single competitive minute this season after suffering a muscle strain in pre-season, but Andoni Iraola confirmed the 27-year-old is back in the frame for the third-round tie.
“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 on Monday, leaving the door open to anything from a cautious cameo to a full-blooded start.
Gomez’s comeback will be part of a wider reshuffle. Iraola made it clear that this will not be a copy-and-paste of his Premier League XI.
“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” he teased, a clear signal that this competition will double as an audition for those stuck on the fringes.
That line will prick up ears in midfield. Wataru Endo has watched on from the bench so far this season without taking a step onto the pitch, but the Japan international suddenly looks well-placed to finally get his first minutes of the campaign. A home cup tie, under the lights, is exactly the sort of stage managers use to test their depth.
The youngsters are queuing up as well. Rio Ngumoha, bright off the bench in the second half against Fulham, is pushing hard for a start and looks one of the likeliest to benefit from rotation. Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas, both eased in with recent substitute appearances, are also in contention to make their first starts of the season if Iraola leans into youth.
He might not. If the head coach decides experience matters more than experimentation against a top-flight opponent, the door swings open for newer signings instead. Bradley Barcola, already heavily involved, could be asked to go again and make his third start in the space of a week, a clear sign of trust if his name appears on the teamsheet.
Up front, the options are far thinner. With Hugo Ekitike still sidelined, Alexander Isak stands as the only recognised senior centre-forward available. The load on him is obvious, even in a cup tie, though Cody Gakpo offers a flexible alternative and can be pushed into the middle if Iraola chooses to rest his main striker or change shape during the game.
Rotation, returns, and a threadbare striker department. For Liverpool, this Carabao Cup night is about far more than just reaching the fourth round. It is a live test of the squad Iraola will have to lean on when the season’s schedule really starts to bite.
