The EFL Cup is a much-maligned competition, often viewed by Premier League teams as an unimportant competition. Most of the league’s top teams have other priorities for their season, whether that is challenging for the title, top four or their Champions League campaigns.
However, the EFL Cup popularity may just be boosted by the fourth round draw. The draw has pitted Premier League high-flying duo Liverpool and Tottenham against each other. Both teams may well rotate their squads, but the clash on Tuesday should still be a competitive one.
Both teams have started the campaign in promising fashion and only goal difference separates the pair in the English top-flight’s top-three. Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Spurs Mauricio Pochettino are also considered two of the best bosses in the Premier League.
Despite the EFL Cup not being either team’s priority, neither boss will want their side to lose, as it could affect their momentum in the Premier League.
The other big tie of the fourth round comes on Wednesday at Old Trafford, as Manchester United take on arch-rivals Manchester City. Neither side head into the clash in the best of spirits, after City drew with Southampton and United suffered a 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea.
United boss Jose Mourinho has stated his dislike of the League Cup in the past. However, the Portuguese boss knows that this game could represent a chance for the Red Devils to gain revenge for their derby defeat by City earlier this season.
City are now five games without a victory in all competitions following a 1-1 draw with Southampton at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. City boss Pep Guardiola has never gone six games without a victory in his managerial career, so will look to progress from the fourth round clash.
The EFL Cup has been devalued in the past by the big clubs playing weakened teams. However, these two big ties may just make the League Cup slightly more interesting, at least for this week anyway.