Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the EFL Cup fourth round between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

My introduction should have twice included the word 'reserves' because that is essentially what we have at Anfield this evening. More on the two teams shortly but both managers have rung the changes for this last-16 contest in the League Cup. Still, we get to see some fresh faces keen to impress their respective boss so we should still get a cracking encounter between two of the best clubs in the country.

While the majority of the players on show this evening are relatively relieved to be earning some playing time in the first team, there are a couple of players who had been given the opportunity to return to form after a poor start to the campaign. Those names will become more obvious over the next few minutes...

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno; Stewart, Wijnaldum, Grujic, Ejaria, Origi; Sturridge

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Can, Lallana, Mane, Ings

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Vorm; Trippier, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Davies; Dier, Winks; Onomah, Carroll, Nkoudou; Janssen

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Lopez, Walkes, Vertonghen, Amos, Lamela, Wanyama, Harrison

Don't worry, there's a few names that are new to us too! Liverpool academy players Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria both make their first starts for the Merseyside giants while we also get to see more of Kevin Stewart and Marko Grujic. Simon Mignolet returns in goal while Divock Origi is given the chance to stake his claim for a more regular role. Danny Ings only makes the bench.

As for Spurs, only Eric Dier remains in the team as Mauricio Pochettino takes the chance to rotate his squad. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Harry Winks, Joshua Onomah and Tom Carroll all feature while Georges-Kevin Nkoudou makes his first start since signing for the club in the summer. We also get to see Kevin Wimmer for just the second time this season.

Tonight's fixture is one of five which are taking place in the EFL this evening. If you want to keep up-to-date with the other matches, click here for our splendid live scores service.

HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's fixture represents the 167th time that these clubs have met in a competitive fixture, with Liverpool winning 78 times in comparison to 47 victories for Spurs. However, it has been slim pickings for the North London outfit during the last eight matches with Liverpool claiming five wins and three draws. Spurs have not won since a Premier League game at White Hart Lane in November 2012.

The last encounter occurred less than two months ago in the Premier League. On that occasion, James Milner opened the scoring from the penalty spot to give Liverpool the lead before Spurs rallied to net an equaliser through Danny Rose. Don't remember the game? Don't worry. Take a look at our match report here.

There was nothing to separate the teams back on the last weekend in August and it's a similar story in the Premier League table. After nine games played, Liverpool hold a narrow one-point lead over Spurs, despite Pochettino's team yet to lose a game in domestic action. Take a look at the full table here.

It would make a lot of sense if we brought you a bit more information regarding some of the younger players on show, wouldn't it?

First of all, let's take a look at Trent Alexander-Arnold. The teenager - just 18 years of age - can play at both right-back and in midfield and has made appearances for the Under-23 team this season. He has also received high praise from Steven Gerrard but I'm sure Klopp is keen to keep expectations as low-key as possible.

Ovie Ejaria may be more familiar to supporters having already made his debut as a substitute in the win over Derby County in the previous round. He also made the bench against Chelsea earlier this season so he is someone who is definitely held in high regard by Klopp. The midfielder is also 18 years of age and has represented England at Under-20 level.

Spurs defender Carter-Vickers also lacks experience in the first team but he is liked by Pochettino and played for the club during their pre-season tour of Australia. While in Melbourne, he didn't enjoy the best of games against Juventus but he has the chance to show that he is ready for the first-team football with a stand-out display against the likes of Origi and Sturridge.

Decent finish.

Warming up. @HarryWinks picks out the bottom corner! #COYS pic.twitter.com/i6Auhv4pz1 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 25, 2016

PREDICTION! The end result may depend on how well the younger players settle into the match but you could also say that if Sturridge and Origi turn up, it is going to be a long night for Spurs. That's the way we see things and despite not scoring since the game against Burton Albion in the second round of this competition, we think Sturridge finds the back of the net in a 3-1 win for the home side.

Whoever progresses through to the quarters-finals won't discover their next opponents until tomorrow night when the remaining three games take place. Just saying incase you were wondering. We know that the EFL Cup is a big deal to supporters up and down the country.

The two teams have made their way out at Anfield. We will be underway very shortly.

Spurs get the game started as the usual rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' comes to an end. Should be a good game, this.

It's been an extremely fast start from the visitors and they've already won two corners. The first was cleared by the defence while the second was claimed by the returning Mignolet.

Alexander-Arnold isn't shy in bursting forward and although he probably makes the wrong decision initially, he gets the chance to set up Stewart at the second opportunity but his teammate fires the ball miles over the crossbar.

The main thing which you notice about both sides is the confidence they are playing with, especially the Liverpool players. They are zipping the ball about like seasoned pros who play every week. No more chances to speak about but it's very lively at Anfield.

As predicted, Sturridge gets back on the scoresheet! It's slightly fortuitous but he won't care. Nkoudou slipped on the left flank and after Grujic nipped in to win the ball, his low, deflected ball into the box was turned in from six yards by Sturridge.

SHOT! Funny what a tap-in can do for confidence, isn't it? Sturridge picks up the ball on the right flank and with his left foot, he attempts to curl a shot into the top corner only to see Vorm tip his effort over the crossbar.

The two Liverpool youngsters - Alexander-Arnold and Ejaria - look in fantastic form and they combine down the right. Unfortunately for the Reds, the right-back's cross is well blocked by Wimmer.

CHANCE! Forget everything I said about Sturridge regaining his confidence. After a mazy run from Origi ended with the England international being found on the other side of the area on his own, he completely scuffed his shot from 14 yards when it looks easier to score.

That looked a little harsh. Moreno is adjudged to have fouled Tripper but it could have easily been the other way around with the right-back putting his foot high towards Moreno's face. Anyway, it's a free kick to the North London outfit but it's headed over by Janssen at the back post.

Spurs string together at least 20 passes but again, the move ends with no reward. Nkoudou was the man to give the ball away. He's not enjoying the greatest of games so far but he does have plenty of pace about him.

BOOKING! The first man into the book this evening is Alexander-Arnold for a very rash challenge out on the left. We'll put it down to youthful exuberance.

We are half-an-hour through this contest and while chances have been relatively few and far between, it has made for a decent spectacle. Liverpool look more likely to double their lead rather than Spurs getting back on level terms.

SAVE! Moments after I say that, Mignolet pulls off an excellent stop to deny Janssen who had sent a well-struck half-volley towards the far corner. Lucas then had to make a block at the near post. Better from Spurs.

While you can tell that Janssen needs a goal, he hasn't stopped working tonight. A goal from open play may change it all for the Dutchman. It's not long until Harry Kane makes his return, too.

CHANCE! A brilliant move from Liverpool deserves a goal but it ends with Grujic dragging the ball wide of the far post after neat work from Ejaria and Sturridge. Ejaria has been very impressive for a player aged just 18.

This game is still being played at a good pace but there have been no more chances. Not long to go until the break.

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

We've had goals in each of the five EFL Cup matches tonight. Be sure to check out our live scores section at the break!

The half-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool lead through Sturridge's early opener. Despite many changes to both starting lineups, it has been an entertaining game and we must hope for more of the same when he get restarted in 15 minutes time.

Liverpool get us back underway. Neither side have made a change.

We have settled right into the rhythm which we ended the first half but no chances as of yet. Alexander-Arnold whipped in a teasing cross from the right just now but it didn't come close to finding its target.

SHOT! He isn't known for his shooting but Trippier has just tried his luck with a volley from 25 yards after being found by Janssen. It had Mignolet worried momentarily but it was always clearing the bar by a couple of yards.

CHANCE! What a miss from Sturridge! Lucas sprays an outstanding ball through to Origi who then finds Sturridge at the back post. However, despite being just six yards out, he miscues his effort and the ball is cleared. He should have had a hat-trick tonight.

SHOT! It's a very open game and it's Spurs' turn to go on the attack. Nkoudou has the chance to get the ball into the box but he instead goes it alone and fires straight at Mignolet.

SHOT! This has been an excellent start to the second half and Liverpool almost get their reward with a second. Origi fancied his chances from 25 yards and he would have found the top corner had it not been for Vorm's spectacular save.

SUBSTITUTION! Pochettino has seen enough and it's time for Lamela to replace Carroll, who has barely featured in the action.

Liverpool net their second and it's that man Sturridge again. Wijnaldum slots a pass through the middle of the Spurs defence for Sturridge to run on to and after biding his time, he send the ball under Vorm and into the middle of the net. That could be game over.

SUBSTITUTION! Pochettino reacts by replacing Dier with Wanyama. Not the most attacking of changes but he's more offensively-minded than Dier.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Klopp takes the chance to make two alterations with Ings and Clyne replacing Origi and Alexander-Arnold. The young right-back has been absolutely superb.

Klopp has left the likes of Mane, Coutinho and Firmino out of the team but Liverpool still look delightful going forward. A rapid move ends with a free kick being won on the edge of the area but Sturridge can't complete his hat-trick as he sends his effort just wide of the far post.

SHOT! It's another set piece for Liverpool after Ejaria twists and turns on the edge of the area before being brought down. Wijnaldum takes responsibility for his attempt and forces a solid stop out of Vorm.

It's game on at Anfield! Spurs are given a very fortunate penalty after Lucas was adjudged to have brought down Lamela but Janssen made no mistake from the spot as he blasted the ball down the middle.

CHANCE! Liverpool won't come any closer to a third goal than they just have. It's Sturridge who comes agonisingly close to completing his hat-trick with the outside of his boot but Vorm is able to tip the ball onto the underside of the crossbar before it bounces clear.

CHANCE! Spurs are pressing for an equaliser but Wanyama fails to make the most of his opening on the right side of the box. Mignolet claims well and it prevents Janssen from getting a telling touch in the middle. Harrison has been introduced for Spurs with Nkoudou going off.

CHANCE! Harrison will be gutted that he couldn't make the most of this chance. Lamela found the youngster all on his own in the penalty area but he fails to control the ball on his chest and Mignolet is able to grab the ball.

SAVE! Vorm has been fantastic this evening and he caps a fine individual display by tipping an Ings half-volley wide of the post after the striker had run clear of the defence.

There will be four minutes of added-on time.

SHOT! Winks does superbly before blazing his shot high into the stands. That could be that for the visitors.

The full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool have earned their place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals with a hard-fought win over Spurs. They should have won by a wider margin but Klopp will be delighted with the performance from his team after making so many alterations to his starting lineup.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match but we hope that you can stick around for all of the reaction from Anfield. Thank you for joining us this evening and we will see you tomorrow for the highly-anticipated Manchester derby. Goodbye for now.