Iraola could do with a good cup run but it's a delicate juggling act

Andoni Iraola indicated at his pre-match news conference that there will be a number of changes for Liverpool against Tottenham in the third round of the Carabao Cup later, with Giorgi Mamardashvili already confirmed to replace Alisson in goal.

Given that there are five more days before Liverpool visit Bournemouth in the Premier League (14:00 BST on Sunday) and an international break to follow, the expectation is that Iraola might be able to turn to his more regular starters on the bench if needed against Spurs.

But it remains to be seen how exactly the Reds boss will approach the game, given it will be his side’s third in under a week. Will there be mass changes or just a handful?

In Liverpool’s third-round fixture in this competition last season against Southampton at Anfield, Arne Slot made 11 changes and named a youthful side. The hosts progressed that night thanks to a late winner from Hugo Ekitike.

However, when Slot made 10 changes against Crystal Palace in the next round, Liverpool were brushed aside 3-0 – with the Dutchman, who had take the Reds to the final in his first season in charge, criticised for having no-one older than 21 on the bench.

You only have to recall the start of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure at Anfield, when the German led Liverpool to the final of the League Cup and Europa League after taking over in October, to see the feel-good factor that progress through cups provided.

Deep down, Iraola will know that a good cup run can only be a positive, but Liverpool struggled with the short turnaround between games last week. It is a delicate juggling act that is new for Iraola too.

“We are in a position where I have to learn who is ready to play and who is ready to rest so their performance level doesn’t drop,” said Iraola. “I had an idea with some of them, but for some of them it is new as they haven’t played as many games before.”

Judging by that, Iraola will be learning plenty more on Tuesday night.