Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool in Carabao Cup Clash

Joe Gomez is set to pull on a Liverpool shirt again at last, with the defender cleared to return ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup tie against 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 clash.

“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 for anything from a cautious cameo to a full start.

Gomez’s return is just one of several changes on the cards. Iraola has already hinted that this will be a night for fresh faces.

“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” he teased, a clear signal that the Carabao Cup will double as a proving ground for squad players and youngsters who have been waiting in the wings.

That line will have caught the attention of Wataru Endo. The Japan international has been stuck on the bench so far this campaign, named among the substitutes but yet to step onto the pitch. A rotated cup side gives him as good a chance as any to finally stake his claim in the centre of midfield.

The academy contingent is also pushing through. Rio Ngumoha, who came on in the second half against Fulham, looks a strong candidate to start, his brief cameo at the weekend likely earning him more trust and more minutes. Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are also in contention for their first starts of the season after recent appearances off the bench, with the staff keen to see how they cope from the first whistle rather than the last 20 minutes.

Iraola does have another option if he leans towards experience rather than experimentation. Bradley Barcola is in line for yet more action and could make his third start in a week, a sign of how quickly he is being integrated and how heavily the manager is prepared to lean on his new signing in these early months.

Up front, the choices are far thinner. With Hugo Ekitike still sidelined through injury, Alexander Isak stands as Liverpool’s only senior out-and-out striker. That reality may shape how bold Iraola can be with his rotation, especially with a demanding schedule looming.

Cody Gakpo offers a solution. Comfortable operating through the middle, the Dutchman can ease the burden on Isak, allowing the manager to manage minutes without completely blunting the attack.

Between a returning leader in Gomez, a restless group of youngsters, and a stretched forward line, Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie is more than a routine third-round fixture. It’s a live test of Iraola’s depth, nerve, and willingness to trust the next wave under the Anfield lights.