Liverpool are the record, ten-times EFL Cup winners, including hoisting the trophy aloft under Jürgen Klopp in both 2022 and 2024. Last season however, their adventure ended early, overcoming Southampton at Anfield, but then being dumped out by Crystal Palace, after Arne Slot deployed an extremely youthful side in the midst of a horrendous losing run.
The Reds' latest bid to reach Wembley will commence in September, set to find out who will be their first Carabao Cup opponents of the season.
This draw is a little complicated, to put it mildly, but we'll talk you through it, outlining everything you need to know ahead of the draw.
When is the Carabao Cup third round draw?
The Carabao Cup third round draw takes place on Wednesday 26 August. It is scheduled to start at around 10:15pm (BST), following Sky Sports' live coverage of Preston North End vs Everton.
When do Carabao Cup third round matches take place?
The third round of the EFL Cup is spread across two midweeks, namely the weeks commencing 7 and 14 September. This is to work around scheduling conflicts with UEFA competitions. The first of those weeks is an exclusive week for the Champions League, with the latter the same for the Europa League.
Thus, Liverpool's Carabao Cup fixture will be played on 15, 16 or 17 September, in between Premier League clashes with Fulham and Bournemouth. This schedule though has ramifications for who they could draw.
Who can Liverpool NOT face in the Carabao Cup third round and why?
Due to the expanded UEFA competitions, Liverpool cannot draw another club also competing in the Champions League or Europe League. Thus, Andoni Iraola's team will not face Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Sunderland or Crystal Palace.
Conference League representatives Brighton & Hove Albion are possible opponents, as that tournament's league phase does not get underway until October.
As a result, a pre-draw will take place at around 7:20pm (BST) on Wednesday, determining whether Liverpool will be home or away. Later in the evening, their actual opponents will be confirmed.
Who can Liverpool face in the Carabao Cup third round?
Thus, put succinctly, the Reds could face any of the 23 round two winners plus Brighton, as documented below:
Liverpool's possible EFL Cup round 3 opponents:
- Premier League: Brighton & Hove Albion, Hull City, Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Coventry City & Brentford.
- EFL Championship: Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Lincoln City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Norwich City, Millwall & West Ham United.
- EFL League One: Barnsley, Reading, Leyton Orient & Peterborough United.
- EFL League Two: Fleetwood Town.
Ties still to be played
- Wednesday: Bradford City vs Burnley, Newcastle United vs West Bromwich Albion, Preston North End vs Everton and Tottenham Hotspur vs Charlton Athletic.
- Thursday: Chelsea vs Luton Town and Fulham vs AFC Wimbledon.
How can I watch Liverpool in the Carabao Cup?
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, every Carabao Cup fixture will be broadcast by Sky Sports. A minimum of one match per round is also live on free-to-air channel ITV and, considering Liverpool's popularity, it is always highly likely that their tie will be selected by the terrestrial channel.
In the United States, CBS Sports Golazo and Paramount+ is your place to go for Carabao Cup games. Other broadcasters around the world include DAZN in Canada, beIN SPORTS in Australia, France, New Zealand and most Arab speaking countries, as well as Disney+ in South America and Startimes World in Africa.
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