Tottenham Hotspur travel to Liverpool for the League Cup fourth round on October 25.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has been talking about Tottenham Hotspur’s League Cup tie with Liverpool later this month, and is quoted by the Echo as suggesting his approach for the match will be similar to the one he took in the last round against Gillingham.
The Argentine gave debuts to a number of players in the 5-0 romp, including three academy teenagers, while 20-year-old Harry Winks also made his first start and 21-year-old Georges-Kevin Nkoudou took to the field for the first time since his Marseille move.
“For me, they are not kids or boys — they are players,” Pochettino is quoted as saying by the Echo. “They can show and prove that they can compete and have the quality to stay in the first team.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks in action with Gillingham’s Josh Wright
“It is the same to play against Gillingham at White Hart Lane and against Liverpool at Anfield.
“They need to show. We believe in them and if my team is the same as against Gillingham or some changes, they need to prove they have quality.”
The Spurs boss’ words indicate that it could be far from a first choice group that he takes to Merseyside, and with Jurgen Klopp picking Liverpool sides that are made up both of first team and squad players in the earlier rounds, the German will have to decide whether this could be an opportunity to give his own youngsters chances, or is worth putting out a strong team to ensure the easiest route past what on paper would normally be a tough draw.
Derby’s Will Hughes in action with Liverpool’s Divock Origi
It should certainly make for an interesting game whichever route the ex-Dortmund manager takes, with Tottenham’s young academy graduates and squad players looking very capable so far this season and in the preseason matches against the likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan.
The match at Anfield will be a different test for them all together of course, but a strong opportunity for players from both sides to make a case for a more important role in their respective squads.
Liverpool may well be favourites for the League Cup this season considering they don’t have European matches to contend with. The likes of Spurs will likely be focused on Europe unless they find themselves at the semi-final stage, and Pochettino is lucky to have a pool of talented youngsters to call on to do the club justice in the tournament.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino applauds the fans
Is Pochettino right to persevere with the youngsters? Should Klopp select a strong side?
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