Iraola plans Liverpool changes for Tottenham League Cup tie

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is preparing to rotate his side for Tuesday’s League Cup third-round match against Tottenham Hotspur as he assesses which players can cope with the demands of a congested schedule.

Liverpool have drawn three of their first four Premier League matches this season, but opened their Champions League campaign with a victory over Atletico Madrid. Iraola said managing the workload of his squad had been one of his main challenges during the early weeks of the campaign.

“There are players who play every three days with no issues. They are very robust, their performances don’t change too much,” Iraola said.

“There are other players where the risk is bigger and the performances are different. I have to learn who is ready to play games every three days and who needs a rest so their performance level isn’t affected.”

The manager believes the club’s more experienced players have already demonstrated that they can maintain their standards when matches come in quick succession.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is among those Iraola feels can continue playing regularly without his performances being significantly affected.

“Virgil can do it, because he has done it before, he has the experience and his performance isn’t so affected,” he said.

Iraola is less certain about the physical demands on younger members of the squad and players who have recently arrived from overseas and are still adjusting to English football.

“With the younger ones and those coming from abroad, there are some question marks, for them and for me and everyone. We will have to study it case by case,” he said.

The manager has confirmed that there will be a change in goal for the Tottenham match, with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to replace first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Mamardashvili is a player Iraola knows from his time in Spain and one Bournemouth attempted to sign before he became manager there.

“I rate Giorgi very highly, I know him from Spain. We tried to sign him for Bournemouth before I came here,” Iraola said.

“For me, he’s a very good keeper and he’s going to start tomorrow.”

Liverpool have also received encouraging news regarding Joe Gomez, who has returned to training and is available for selection.

Conor Bradley remains unavailable, however, as the club prepare for their third-round meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.