Liverpool and West Ham meet this week in an all-Premier League Carabao Cup clash, and it’s live on talkSPORT 2.
The Reds are just entering the competition at this stage after the format was adjusted for the teams competing in Europe this year, and they’ve been given a home tie.
Liverpool have started the season very wellAFP
Arne Slot‘s men have looked impressive in the top-flight, losing just one game so far, and they start their cup defence against a struggling West Ham.
Meanwhile, a trip to Anfield is the last thing West Ham would have wanted after a very tough start.
The Hammers have won just one of their opening league games and set a piece of unwanted history at the weekend, losing their first three home matches of a domestic season for the first time ever.
It’s been a baptism of fire for Julen Lopetegui, and he’ll be determined to put things right here.
Liverpool vs West Ham: Growing pains
David Moyes achieved many things during his time at West Ham, including winning a European trophy.
However, his style of play had grown stale by the end of his tenure with the Hammers, and Lopetegui is trying to change that.
The Irons spent big in the summer on attacking players and new defenders, while midfield was also reinforced.
However, it’s clear to see that in the early stages of this switch in style, there are plenty of growing pains.
In some games, the Hammers have looked a bit lost, with it proving a struggle to blend in the new players and Lopetegui’s ideas.
Of course, it’s early days, but it’s been tough so far.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are thriving under Slot and are more defensively sound than they were under Jurgen Klopp.
It’s clear to see where West Ham are struggling
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 56 home games against West Ham United in all competitions (W41 D14), a run stretching back to 1964 – the sole loss came in August 2015 in the Premier League (0-3).
West Ham will face Liverpool in the League Cup for the second successive season, losing 1-5 to the Reds in last season’s quarter-finals.
Liverpool vs West Ham: Date and how to follow
This Carabao Cup third-round tie will take place on Wednesday, September 25.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of the game, with commentary coming from Ian Danter and England icon Stuart Pearce.
talkSPORT.com will also have all the reaction from Anfield.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
West Ham have enraged their new manager at times this seasonGetty
The League Cup holders haven’t failed to reach round four of the League Cup since 2013-14 when Swansea City lost to Birmingham City in the third round.
None of West Ham United’s last 28 away games in the League Cup have ended in a draw (W13 L15), since a 1-1 draw Chesterfield in the 2002-03 second round, winning 5-4 on penalties.
Liverpool vs West Ham: Team news
The Reds are likely to rotate several players, with Kostas Tsimikas, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Cody Gakpo all in line for starts.
Slot is unlikely to risk Alisson Becker after he missed the weekend’s win over Bournemouth, while Harvey Elliott has a fractured foot.
Meanwhile, the Hammers could still be without Niclas Fullkrug due to an issue he picked up on international duty.
Elsewhere, you would expect Lopetegui to name a strong team in an attempt to generate some positivity with a result.
Gakpo will be one of several Liverpool players seeking a startGetty
Liverpool vs West Ham: What has been said?
Hammers boss Lopetegui insists that West Ham are taking the Carabao Cup seriously.
He said: “We go into every competition wanting to do our best, and go as far as possible.
“To do that, we have to overcome Liverpool at Anfield.
“It’s not an easy task, but we go there with that ambition for sure.”
