Robertson Returns to Anfield in Carabao Cup Third Round Draw

Andrew Robertson will return to Anfield as Tottenham face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup third round during the weeks of Sept. 7 and 14.

Liverpool will host Tottenham at Anfield for the Carabao Cup third round following a summer transfer that sees Andrew Robertson return to his former club. This fixture highlights a slate of five confirmed all-Premier League matchups scheduled for the weeks commencing September 7 and September 14. Tottenham advanced to this stage following a victory over Charlton where Sávio scored from the bench on his debut, while Newcastle progressed after a brace from Barnes secured a win against West Brom.

Manchester United are set to host Brighton at Old Trafford, a venue where the visiting side previously secured a victory during the FA Cup third round last season. Premier League champions Arsenal are scheduled for a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich. In other top-flight clashes, Everton will entertain Wolves at Goodison Park, and Aston Villa are slated for a short journey to face Coventry.

Stamford Bridge and Stadium Hosting Details

Chelsea could host Leeds at Stamford Bridge provided they defeat Luton in their second-round fixture on Thursday. West Ham await the winner of the match between Fulham and Wimbledon for their home tie. Defending holders Manchester City will play Norwich at home, while Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are both scheduled to host Championship opponents Lincoln and Middlesbrough, respectively.

Newcastle face an away fixture against Millwall, a side currently described as in-form. Sunderland will entertain Hull, and Brentford are scheduled for a short trip to face Reading. The remaining fixtures in the bracket include Sheffield United traveling to Fleetwood, Leyton Orient hosting Bradford, and a meeting between Peterborough and Barnsley.

Tournament Schedule and Progression

The third-round ties are distributed across a two-week window starting September 7. The draw follows a second round that featured Sávio’s debut goal for Spurs and Barnes’ two-goal performance for Newcastle. While several Premier League sides face lower-league opposition, such as Manchester City’s home game against Norwich, the draw ensures at least four guaranteed top-flight eliminations due to the Brighton, Tottenham, Wolves, and Ipswich pairings.

Luton and Chelsea remain the final teams to determine the fourth-round path for Leeds. All matches will be contested as single-leg ties during the specified September dates. The competition continues with Manchester City defending their status as current holders against the visiting Canaries.

Regional Rivalries and Travel

Geographic proximity defines several matchups in this round, specifically Aston Villa’s short trip to Coventry and Brentford’s brief travel to Reading. Conversely, Newcastle must travel south to London to face Millwall. The fixture between Liverpool and Tottenham serves as the primary headliner due to Robertson’s immediate return to his long-term home ground following his recent move to Spurs.

Brighton’s return to Old Trafford provides a rematch of their successful FA Cup outing from the previous campaign. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s visit to Ipswich marks a test for the newly promoted side against the reigning league title holders. Every fixture listed will take place during the midweek periods of early to mid-September as clubs compete for a place in the fourth round of the tournament.