Ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s third-round clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, let’s have a look at the club’s record at this stage of the Carabao Cup over the past decade.
Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur have made an underwhelming start to the new Premier League season, remaining without a win and without a goal after 4 matches – the first time in the club’s history that has happened.
However, the Carabao Cup has at least offered some relief, with Spurs scoring all five of their goals this season in the second round against Charlton Athletic last month.
Before that game, De Zerbi made it clear that he regards the Carabao Cup in the same way as the Premier League, which makes sense given Tottenham do not have European football this season.
As a result, the Carabao Cup and FA Cup represent two of the clearest opportunities for De Zerbi to bring silverware to North London this season, something the Italian has already revealed is his ultimate aim.
Liverpool now stand between Spurs and the fourth round, making this a good time to look back at the club’s record in the third round over the past decade.
Tottenham Hotspur Carabao Cup third-round results since 2015/16
Tuesday’s trip to Anfield will be Tottenham’s 52nd appearance in the third round of the competition, with Spurs winning 37 and losing 14 of their previous matches at this stage.
Four of those 37 victories eventually ended with Spurs lifting the trophy; in 1971, 1973, 1999 and 2008.
Here is how Spurs have fared in their third-round ties over the past 10 seasons:
2025/26: Tottenham 3-0 Doncaster Rovers
Scorers: Joao Palhinha (14′), Jay McGrath (17′ og), Brennan Johnson (90+4′)
2024/25: Coventry City 1-2 Tottenham
Scorers: Brandon Thomas-Asante (63′), Djed Spence (88′), Brennan Johnson (90+2′)
2023/24: No third-round match
Tottenham were knocked out in the second round after losing to Fulham on penalties.
2022/23: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Tottenham
Scorers: Renan Lodi (50′), Jesse Lingard (57′)
2021/22: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Tottenham, Tottenham won 3-2 on penalties
Scorers: Tanguy Ndombele (14′), Harry Kane (23′), Leander Dendoncker (38′), Daniel Podence (58′)
2020/21: No third-round match, bye awarded
Tottenham’s scheduled third-round tie against Leyton Orient was forfeited by the League Two side following a COVID-19 outbreak. The EFL awarded Spurs a bye into the fourth round.
2019/20: Colchester United 0-0 Tottenham; Colchester won 4-3 on penalties
Scorers: None
2018/19: Tottenham 2-2 Watford, Tottenham won 4-2 on penalties
Scorers: Isaac Success (46′), Dele (81′), Erik Lamela (86′), Etienne Capoue (89′)
2017/18: Tottenham 1-0 Barnsley
Scorer: Dele Alli (65′)
2016/17: Tottenham 5-0 Gillingham
Scorers: Christian Eriksen (31′, 48′), Vincent Janssen (51′ pen), Josh Onomah (65′), Erik Lamela (68′)
2015/16: Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal
Scorers: Mathieu Flamini (26′, 78′), Calum Chambers (56′ og)
Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola have split their previous meetings
There is not exactly a huge amount of optimism among Tottenham supporters heading into Tuesday’s fixture, given that Spurs have not won a match at Anfield since May 2011.
However, this particular meeting does come with a potentially significant difference as it will be the first time Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola take charge of this fixture with their respective new clubs.
That means previous meetings between the two coaches may offer a more useful comparison than the historical record at Anfield.
De Zerbi and Iraola have already gone head to head twice in their managerial careers, with the Italian at Brighton and the Spaniard in charge of Bournemouth. They have one victory apiece.
- Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth, September 2023
- Bournemouth 3-0 Brighton, April 2024