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 passed 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 kept him out of the opening weeks of the season.

Manager Andoni Iraola confirmed Gomez’s return on Monday and made it clear the 27-year-old is now part of the selection debate again.

“Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play,” the Spaniard said, leaving the door open to anything from a cautious reintroduction to a full-blooded start.

Mamardashvili to start, changes coming

There is no debate over who starts in goal. Giorgi Mamardashvili has been handed the gloves, with Alisson Becker set to sit this one out as Iraola rotates his squad.

That decision is just the start. The Liverpool boss openly hinted at a much-altered XI.

“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” he said, a line that will have caught the attention of several squad players and youngsters who have been waiting for their chance.

One of those is Wataru Endo. The Japanese midfielder has been in every matchday squad but has yet to step onto the pitch this season. The Carabao Cup often serves as a launchpad for squad players; Endo looks perfectly placed to benefit if Iraola follows through on his promise of fresh faces.

Youngsters in the frame

He is not alone. Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are both in contention for their first starts of the campaign after recent appearances from the bench. A home tie in the cup, with Anfield behind them and the stakes lower than a league fixture, is exactly the kind of stage Liverpool have often used to blood young talent.

If Iraola leans into that tradition, the front four could have a very different look.

Experience vs opportunity

There is another path, though. If the manager decides to lean on experience and give his newer signings more rhythm, Bradley Barcola could feature again. The forward is in line for what would be a third start in a week, a clear sign of trust if he keeps his place.

Up front, the options are thinner. With Hugo Ekitike still out injured, Alexander Isak stands as Liverpool’s only senior centre-forward. Cody Gakpo can operate through the middle if needed, but in terms of orthodox strikers, Isak carries the load.

At right-back, Conor Bradley will not be involved. The Northern Ireland international is edging his way back after knee surgery and has now started working with the ball again, a positive step but not enough to be considered for selection yet.

How Liverpool could line up

All signs point towards a reshaped Liverpool side in a 4-2-3-1, with opportunities scattered across the pitch.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araujo, van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Endo; Ngumoha, Nyoni, Munoz; Isak.

Injured: Ekitike, Leoni, Bradley, Chiesa.

Kick-off is at 8pm BST on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Anfield. A cup tie, a rotated side, and a returning Joe Gomez. For Iraola, it’s more than just progression on the night — it’s a chance to see what the next layer of his Liverpool squad really looks like under pressure.