Joe Gomez Returns for Liverpool vs Tottenham in Carabao Cup

Joe Gomez is set to end his injury lay-off tonight, with the Liverpool defender available for the Carabao Cup third-round clash against Tottenham at Anfield.

The England international has not featured this season after suffering a muscle strain in pre-season, but Andoni Iraola confirmed the 27-year-old is back 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 return.

Gomez’s comeback will not be the only tweak. Iraola has already warned that this will be a different-looking Liverpool side.

“We will see tomorrow players we haven't seen,” he hinted, a clear signal that the cup will be used to open the door for those stuck on the fringes.

That message will ring loudest for Wataru Endo. The Japan midfielder has been confined to the bench so far this season, an unused substitute waiting for a break. This tie could finally hand him the minutes he has been chasing.

Youth may get its say as well. Rio Ngumoha, who impressed off the bench in the second half against Fulham, is pushing hard for a first start of the campaign. Trey Nyoni and Lewis Koumas are also in the frame, both having made recent substitute appearances and now hovering on the edge of the XI.

The dilemma for Iraola is clear: lean into the energy of the youngsters, or lean on experience.

If he chooses the latter, Bradley Barcola is poised to feature again. The summer arrival could be handed a third start in the space of a week as Liverpool look to maintain rhythm without overloading their regulars.

Up front, the options are thinner. With Hugo Ekitike still sidelined, Alexander Isak stands as the only senior centre-forward available. The safety net is Cody Gakpo, capable of operating through the middle if Iraola reshapes his attack.

Rotation is coming. Opportunity is coming with it. For Gomez, Endo and a cluster of hungry youngsters, Tottenham at Anfield is more than a cup tie – it is a chance to change their place in Liverpool’s season.