Carabao Cup Round 3 Draw: Liverpool Face Tottenham as Arsenal Travel to Ipswich

The Carabao Cup third-round draw has delivered several eye-catching ties, with Premier League heavyweights set for potentially tricky nights against fellow top-flight opposition and ambitious EFL clubs.

The standout fixture sees Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, while Arsenal face a trip to newly promoted Ipswich Town. Manchester United will welcome Brighton, and holders Manchester City have been handed a home tie against Norwich City.

The third-round matches will be played across the weeks beginning September 7 and September 14, with the scheduling split across the two midweeks to accommodate European commitments.

Liverpool vs Tottenham Headlines the Draw

Liverpool's meeting with Tottenham is easily the biggest tie on paper.

The Reds will have home advantage at Anfield, but Tottenham arrive after a convincing 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the second round.

It is the sort of cup draw that gives managers a headache before the teams have even stepped onto the pitch. Neither side will want to exit early, but both will also have bigger league and European ambitions to consider.

Arsenal Face Ipswich Test

Arsenal have been drawn away to Ipswich Town, giving the Premier League champions a potentially awkward trip.

Ipswich will see the fixture as an opportunity to test themselves against one of England's strongest sides, while Arsenal will be expected to progress despite playing away from home.

For Arsenal, squad rotation will likely become an important factor when the fixture arrives.

Manchester United vs Brighton

Manchester United will host Brighton & Hove Albion in another all-Premier League encounter.

Brighton have plenty of experience causing problems for bigger clubs, meaning United are unlikely to view the tie as a simple route into the next round.

Old Trafford should provide United with an advantage, but Brighton will have little reason to arrive intimidated.

Manchester City Draw Norwich

Defending champions Manchester City will begin their Carabao Cup campaign against Norwich City at home.

City lifted the trophy last season and will be looking to defend it, while Norwich have the chance to produce one of the round's biggest shocks.

On paper, City are favourites, but cup football has a habit of ignoring what is written on paper.

Full Third-Round Draw

•Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough

•Manchester United vs Brighton

•Manchester City vs Norwich City

•Sunderland vs Hull City

•Ipswich Town vs Arsenal

•Coventry City vs Aston Villa

•Bournemouth vs Lincoln City

•Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur

•Chelsea or Luton Town vs Leeds United

•Millwall vs Newcastle United

•Fleetwood Town vs Sheffield United

•Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

•Leyton Orient vs Bradford City

•Reading vs Brentford

•Peterborough United vs Barnsley

•West Ham United vs Fulham or AFC Wimbledon

Several Potential Giant-Killers

The draw also provides opportunities for EFL clubs to make headlines.

Fleetwood Town will host Sheffield United, while Lincoln City travel to Bournemouth. Leyton Orient face Bradford City, and Peterborough United welcome Barnsley.

Meanwhile, Reading will host Brentford, giving the Championship side another chance to knock out Premier League opposition.

Chelsea Still Waiting

Chelsea's tie remains dependent on the result of their second-round match against Luton Town.

The winner will host Leeds United in the third round.

West Ham face a similar situation, with their opponent to be either Fulham or AFC Wimbledon.

Key Fixtures

Fixture	Venue
Liverpool vs Tottenham	Anfield
Ipswich Town vs Arsenal	Portman Road
Manchester United vs Brighton	Old trafford
Manchester City vs Norwich city	Eithiad stadium
Newcastle vs millwall	St James park
Aston Villa vs Coventry	Villa park
Everton vs wolves	Goodison park
Bournemouth vs Lincoln city	Vitality Stadium

Sevens Sports Arena Verdict

The Carabao Cup has wasted little time producing some serious third-round drama.

Liverpool vs Tottenham is the obvious headline fixture, while Ipswich vs Arsenal and Manchester United vs Brighton could also provide intriguing contests.

Manchester City have arguably received one of the more favourable draws on paper against Norwich, but cup football rarely follows the script.

The third round will be played in September, and with European clubs now entering the competition, the battle for the trophy is officially getting serious.

One thing is certain: somebody's September is about to get considerably more stressful.