Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool's Carabao Cup Clash Against Tottenham
Joe Gomez is back. And just in time for a cup night under the lights at Anfield.
The England defender has been declared fit for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Tottenham on Tuesday, ending a frustrating spell on the sidelines after a muscle strain picked up in July. He has yet to play a minute this season, but Andoni Iraola confirmed the 27-year-old is now in contention.
“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 to anything from a cautious cameo to a full-blooded return.
Mamardashvili to start as Iraola shuffles the pack
There will be a change in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili has been handed the gloves, with Iraola confirming the Georgian will replace Alisson Becker for the tie. It signals a clear intent: rotation, but with purpose.
And that will not be the only tweak.
“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” Iraola hinted, a line that will perk up more than a few ears in the Liverpool squad and among the fanbase eager for a glimpse of the next wave.
Wataru Endo is at the front of that queue. The Japan international has been an unused substitute so far this season, watching on as others have banked the minutes. This competition offers a clean slate, and Anfield could finally see him from kick-off rather than from the bench.
Young blood on standby
Rio Ngumoha is pushing hard for a start after his lively introduction in the second half against Fulham. The youngster brought energy and directness, and this feels like the kind of fixture where Iraola might let him loose from the first whistle.
Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are also in the frame. Both have been eased in with recent substitute appearances, both are close to a breakthrough start. A home tie in the Carabao Cup, with the crowd behind them and senior figures around them, is about as controlled a launchpad as they will get.
If Iraola leans instead towards experience and rhythm, Bradley Barcola is another strong candidate. The forward is in the middle of a demanding run and could make his third start in a week, a sign of the manager’s trust and a chance to sharpen his edge further.
Isak leads the line, injuries bite
Up front, the options are thinner. With Hugo Ekitike still out injured, Alexander Isak stands as Liverpool’s only senior centre-forward. The Swede is expected to spearhead the attack again, though Cody Gakpo offers an alternative through the middle if Iraola decides to shuffle mid-game or protect Isak’s workload.
Conor Bradley will not feature. The right-back remains sidelined but has taken an important step in his recovery, now back working with the ball after knee surgery. His return is edging closer, just not in time for Tottenham’s visit.
Liverpool’s injury list also includes Ekitike, Leoni, Bradley and Federico Chiesa, limiting Iraola’s room to manoeuvre in certain areas even as he looks to freshen the XI.
How Liverpool could line up
Iraola is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 shape, with chances spread across the squad. A possible Liverpool XI:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araujo, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Endo; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Munoz; Isak.
Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Anfield. A cup tie under the lights, a returning defender, a goalkeeper out to impress, and a clutch of youngsters on the brink — exactly the kind of night that can change the course of a season.
