Liverpool's walking wounded ahead of the League Cup

The Reds go into Tuesday's Carabao Cup third-round tie at Anfield with four players definitely ruled out. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike all remain sidelined with their respective long-term injuries, while Federico Chiesa has yet to kick a ball this season after picking up a knock during pre-season. That is a significant chunk of the squad unavailable before a ball has even been kicked.

The timelines vary considerably. Leoni has been working his way back from an ACL injury sustained last September, and there is some encouragement on that front, manager Andoni Iraola confirmed earlier this month that the plan is for the defender to begin training with the group during the upcoming international break. Chiesa is expected around a similar timeframe. Bradley and Ekitike, however, are still some months away from re-entering first-team contention, so Liverpool supporters should not expect to see either of them any time soon.

On the positive side, Joe Gomez is available and in contention. Iraola was measured but encouraging when asked about the defender: "Joe is training with the team and is available for tomorrow. It's a matter of deciding how much he can play." Given Liverpool have just one win from their opening four Premier League matches, their weekend producing a goalless draw with Fulham, Iraola will want as many fit bodies at his disposal as possible.

Spurs arrive at Anfield with their own injury headaches

Tottenham are in no better shape. Roberto de Zerbi will be without Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert, all three of whom remain some distance from full fitness. De Zerbi was candid about Kulusevski's situation when asked about the winger earlier this month: "Kulusevski is not working with us in the last week. It's not a big problem, it's a normal problem when one player is out for a long time, like Mudryk."

That mention of Mudryk is relevant in its own right, the Chelsea loanee suffered an ankle injury earlier this month and will also be absent. Pedro Porro will not recover in time either. And then there is the Richarlison situation, which de Zerbi dealt with in the most economical way possible when asked directly: "Richarlison, you already know everything." Whether that reads as resignation or relief probably depends on your feelings about the summer's transfer saga.

The one piece of good news for Spurs is that left-back Destiny Udogie, who missed the goalless draw with Everton at the weekend, is back in contention. De Zerbi confirmed as much when summing up his squad situation: "Kulusevski not available, Pedro still not available, Udogie yes. No Sandro Tonali, he felt a knock. Richarlison, you already know everything, so nothing changes with the Carabao Cup or Premier League." Tonali's absence is a significant blow given the £100m invested in the midfielder.

What this means for Tuesday night

Both managers will be picking from reduced squads, which adds an interesting wrinkle to team selection on both sides. For Iraola, the key question is how much game time Gomez can handle and whether this fixture represents the right moment to ease him back in or give him a full run-out. With Chiesa and Leoni potentially returning to training during the break, the squad depth picture could look a little healthier in a few weeks, but Tuesday night is the here and now.

Spurs, meanwhile, arrive at Anfield off the back of a flat goalless draw of their own, and with de Zerbi still settling into the role after coming in over the summer. A trip to Anfield in the League Cup, with this many bodies missing, is about as difficult a situation as you could face. Liverpool, whatever their recent form, will fancy their chances in front of their own crowd.

How Iraola sets up without some key options, and whether Gomez can play a meaningful role, could shape the whole tie.