Liverpool and Tottenham Headline Star-Studded EFL Cup Third Round

The EFL Cup returns this week with a strong contingent of Premier League clubs, headlined by Liverpool’s meeting with Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union attacker Cavan Sullivan is making an increasingly persuasive case for a U.S. national team call-up. Pardeep Cattry has the latest.

Matchday Schedule

All times U.S./Eastern

Monday, Sept. 14
Serie A: Inter vs. Udinese, 2:45 p.m. Paramount+
EPL: Leeds United vs. Newcastle United, 3 p.m. USA Network
LaLiga: Villarreal vs. Real Betis, 3 p.m. ESPN+

Tuesday, Sept. 15
EFL Cup: Liverpool vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 3 p.m. Paramount+
LaLiga: Elche vs. Real Madrid, 3:30 p.m. ESPN2

The Forward Line

Cavan Sullivan Builds His National-Team Case

The World Cup is now behind them, giving emerging international prospects an opportunity to strengthen their cases before the next break. Philadelphia Union attacker Cavan Sullivan is already taking advantage.

Sullivan has scored twice and provided two assists in the past week alone. His goals included a backheel finish and a strike in which he nutmegged the goalkeeper before sending the ball into the net. His recent production has accelerated an impressive trajectory: he now has five goals and seven assists in 10 matches, figures that place him among MLS’ most productive attackers following the international break. He became the youngest player ever to debut in MLS at 14 and agreed to a Manchester City contract that will take effect after his 18th birthday next year. He has now transformed that early promise into measurable senior-level results.

Sullivan also produces in front of goal, ranking in the 91st percentile among MLS attacking midfielders and wingers over the past year in non-penalty expected goals. He creates chances at an equally impressive rate, making him a key figure for a Union side that entered the World Cup break below the playoff line but has returned to contention. His rise has coincided with a change in coaching. Bradley Carnell, dismissed just before MLS paused for the summer, had used Sullivan sparingly, while interim coach Ryan Richter has incorporated the 16-year-old into his plans since July, along with 18-year-old center back Neil Pierre.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to name his squad this week for a four-match fall friendly stretch that he described as “a new start” as the road to the 2030 World Cup begins. He expects a blend of established players and younger faces, although not every promising prospect will be ready for the demands of senior international football. Sullivan is making one of the strongest cases that his opportunity has finally arrived.

• Booth: “With the international break coming up, the first of FIFA’s new-look window that will see teams have a three-week break facing four teams, Sullivan absolutely has to be there. Initially, with USA coach Mauricio Pochettino being able to take a look at younger players, it would’ve made sense for Sullivan to get a taste of camp and what he’d need in order to make the senior national team, but now he deserves to be there based on merit and not just potential. There’s no American player performing at a higher level since the World Cup than Sullivan, and with Christian Pulisic’s return from injury in Milan and Folarin Balogun in an uncertain situation at Monaco following his proposed move to Everton that fell through, there will be a need to take a look at other attackers, and one has to be Sullivan.”

Don’t Miss Matchday 1

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Liverpool and Tottenham Meet in the EFL Cup

The EFL Cup third round features its deepest Premier League representation to date, with 10 clubs from last season entering the competition. Most are set to face lower-league opposition while chasing the first trophy of the English season. Two fixtures will feature two Premier League sides against each other, with Tottenham’s visit to Liverpool on Tuesday the standout match.

Both teams remain works in progress after beginning transitional seasons. Liverpool have already secured several notable results under Andoni Iraola, while Tottenham’s start has been far less convincing. Their sole victory came in a heavy defeat of Championship side Charlton Athletic, and they enter Tuesday’s match in the middle of a goalless Premier League run. Four games into Roberto De Zerbi’s first full season in charge, Spurs have yet to score and share that unfortunate distinction only with newly promoted Coventry City.

• Benge: “[Spurs] ended this game with 0.64 expected goals (xG) off 14 shots. Only twice did Pickford have to make a save, neither of which came from shots within the box. An early, rising flick at the back post from Van Hecke off an Andy Robertson free kick was the only shot Spurs took worth more than 0.1 xG (0.14 to be precise). Their back four combined for five shots. Their front three delivered just three … In 63 minutes Dominic Solanke delivered no shots, no shot assists and his 11 completed passes were worth just 0.01 expected assists. You could tell that Omar Marmoush was used to shadowing a better class of forward.”

The immediate question for De Zerbi is whether Tottenham can end their scoring drought. Liverpool have kept only two clean sheets in five matches this season, both against Ipswich Town and Fulham. Their error-prone defense could provide an opening for Spurs, although how much De Zerbi rotates his squad remains an open question. Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa should offer a more revealing test. Unai Emery’s side sit 19th with no points and seven goals conceded in four matches, giving both teams an opportunity to recover ground early in the campaign.

As the old saying goes, shots do not count unless they are taken. If Tottenham or Aston Villa fail to capitalize on their opportunities, any optimism about their prospects will disappear quickly.

The Back Line

Best Bets

• Serie A: Inter vs. Udinese, Monday, 2:45 p.m.
  THE PICK: Inter to win 2-0 (+600) – Inter have begun the league season with three consecutive victories, and the reigning champions look poised to extend their run in the final Serie A match of the weekend. Udinese have collected four points and may provide an opportunity for Inter to display the attacking quality expected of a title contender. Lautaro Martínez comes off a brace in last week’s 3-2 victory over Napoli, while Pio Esposito already scored on the opening day. Inter should handle the task with a routine 2-0 win that sends an early statement of intent.

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