Liverpool will be partaking in tonight’s Carabao Cup third round draw with a key advantage, thanks to a rule change in the competition.
The Reds are off to a fine start in their Premier League title defence and now all eyes will turn to the Carabao Cup third round draw to see who last season’s finalists will take on.
It was a disappointing end to a fine tournament last time out, as Liverpool lost out in a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United. The victory saw the Magpies lift their first major piece of silverware in 70 years, but the despondency on Liverpool’s end was short lived, as Arne Slot’s men became champions of England two months later.
This time around, Liverpool have been handed an advantage due to a rule change which is new this season.
Clubs competing in the Champions League and Europa League will not be drawn against each other in the third round, meaning the Reds have avoided a cup tie against the team who got the better of them at Wembley Stadium.
The third round fixtures will be spread across two weeks, beginning on the 15th and 22nd of September. There are Champions League matches scheduled to take place in the first week and Europa League games during the second and, since UEFA fixtures cannot be rescheduled, this is why the rule change has come into place.
The EFL have slammed UEFA for failing to consult with European domestic leagues, which has led to playing the matches over two weeks for a second consecutive season.
However, Liverpool are one of the beneficiaries of the rule change, because it prevents some tough potential ties.
Liverpool supporters can tune into Sky Sports to watch the Carabao Cup third round draw, which will take place at roughly 10:15pm BST, following the conclusion of Grimsby Town’s clash with Manchester United. The Reds have been assigned ball number 14.
Liverpool’s third round tie will be played the week beginning September 22, just days after the first Merseyside derby of the season.
