Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool in Carabao Cup Clash Against Tottenham
Joe Gomez is set for a long-awaited return under the Anfield lights, with the Liverpool defender cleared to play in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham.
The England international has not kicked a ball competitively 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 manager said on Monday, leaving the door open for anything from a cautious cameo to a full-blooded start.
Gomez’s comeback will be part of a broader shake-up. Iraola has already signposted rotation, hinting that this Cup night will offer a different look to his squad.
“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” he teased, a clear signal that the fringe and the future are about to step into the spotlight.
That line will have been music to Wataru Endo’s ears. The Japanese midfielder has watched on from the bench so far this season, an unused substitute waiting for a first competitive minute. The Carabao Cup has often been the gateway for players in his position; tonight could finally crack it open.
There is a stronger push coming from the academy graduates. Rio Ngumoha, bright and fearless off the bench against Fulham, looks well placed to start. His sharp cameo has nudged him to the front of the queue among the youngsters.
Just behind him, Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are also in contention. Both have had tastes of senior action from the bench in recent weeks. A Cup tie at Anfield, with the crowd eager for a glimpse of what’s next, is exactly the kind of stage where Liverpool have historically trusted their kids to grow up fast.
Yet Iraola also has another balancing act to manage: youth versus rhythm for his newer signings.
If he leans towards experience and continuity, Bradley Barcola is primed for another outing. The winger is chasing his third start in a week, a clear sign that the staff want him fully up to speed with the tempo and demands of English football. A strong performance here would tighten his grip on a regular role.
Up front, the options are thinner.
With Hugo Ekitike still sidelined, Alexander Isak stands as the only senior centre-forward available. His presence gives the attack structure, but it also underlines the risk: one injury, one bad twist, and Liverpool are improvising.
Cody Gakpo offers that insurance. Comfortable operating through the middle, the Dutchman can step inside from wider roles or start centrally if Iraola decides Isak needs a breather. It may be a Cup tie, but the load management is real, especially with league and European commitments looming.
So Anfield will see something different tonight: a returning leader in Gomez, hungry squad players chasing relevance, academy hopefuls eyeing a breakthrough, and a forward line walking a tightrope on depth.
For Iraola, this isn’t just about reaching the next round. It’s about discovering who he can truly trust when the season starts to bite.
