Tottenham haven't lifted a major trophy for 14 years. How Harry Kane would love to be at Wembley in February being presented with the Carabao Cup.

Steady start at the City Ground.

Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter

Kalvin Phillips is warming up just in front of us.

He's only played 14 minutes of football since his move from Leeds United to Manchester City, but I have no doubt he'll be in the squad of 26 when it's named by Gareth Southgate.

He'll certainly be fresh when going to Qatar, that's for sure.

A decent effort from Jack Harrison and it's pushed behind for a corner, just inches around the post. Good start from Leeds!

Lots of changes from both teams at St James' Park but still strong sides. Will they both go all out from the start?

Palace have started strongly with an effort flying just over the bar from Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Off we go in the six games kicking off earlier.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Anfield

A lot has happened at Derby since they last played Liverpool - also in the EFL Cup - in 2016.

For a few months until the summer, some feared they might not have a club to support as the club struggled to deal with the shock of administration.

Local businessman David Clowes saved them. But the cost-cutting before Clowes stepped in was so extensive, they hardly have any squad depth.

Liam Rosenior has been replaced by former Rotherham boss Paul Warne as manager and the Rams remain on the fringes of the League One play-off picture.

I suspect the visiting fans will be making quite a bit of noise tonight.

Image source, Reuters

What a night for 20-year-old forward Layton Stewart and 18-year-old midfielder Melkamu Frauendorf.

Born in Liverpool, Stewart has been with the Liverpool's academy since the age of seven and tonight is his big chance to shine.

Stewart – who penned his first professional deal in February 2020 - was named on the bench as a youthful Reds side faced Aston Villa in the 2019-20 Carabao Cup quarter-finals and has trained with the first team on a number of occasions.

Frauendorf was born in Ethiopia and joined Liverpool in August 2020 from German side Hoffenheim.

He was handed a dream Anfield debut when he came on as a substitute during the FA Cup third round 4-1 win over Shrewsbury Town in January 2022.

What a night for Hammers keeper Alphonse Areola.

He's just been named in the France squad for the World Cup.

Will he follow it up with a clean sheet against Blackburn?

Sheffield Wednesday are flying high in League One this season, sitting third - and just three points off the automatic promotion spots.

Darren Moore's side have only lost once in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League leaders Arsenal are on a roll and they won't want that to end tonight even if their priorities may lie elsewhere.

Mikel Arteta said he would name a strong side - though he has made 10 changes - and they face Premier League opposition in Brighton.

The Seagulls are themselves building good momentum following back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under manager Roberto de Zerbi.

“It will be a test for many players but when we wear the Brighton shirt, we must play seriously and we must try to win," said De Zerbi.

"We prepare for the cup as if it is a Premier League game."

Liverpool are unbeaten in the Carabao Cup for more than two years.

The last team to beat them in the competition? Arsenal at Anfield on 1 October 2020.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's future direction might be uncertain with talk in the air of the club up for sale, but the Reds are hoping it is business as usual on the pitch.

They start their defence of the trophy they won last February after beating Chelsea 11-10 on penalties at Wembley by hosting League One Derby.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been reflecting on last season's triumph in his programme notes - and makes it clear he wants a Wembley return in February.

"The final does not begin at Wembley in February," writes Klopp.

"It starts at Anfield tonight and this is because the only way we can arrive at Wembley is by getting things right in the earlier rounds."

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves interim boss Steve Davis said they will treat Carabao Cup fixtures like any other, despite their concerns in battling relegation.

“Our approach is always the same, which is to get a good result and win the game, and the Carabao Cup will be no different.

"We’re trying to approach it in the right way, but we’ve also got to bear in mind that we’re coming off the back of Brighton at the weekend, and we’ve got Arsenal coming up on Saturday.

“But our approach won’t change, whatever the competition or whatever the situation is."

Image source, Getty Images

These two teams last met in the Carabao Cup in 2014 when Newcastle came away from Selhurst Park with a 3-2 win.

A lot has changed since then and both teams are building under Eddie Howe and Patrick Vieira respectively.

It was a 0-0 draw between the sides in the Premier League earlier this season but Newcastle are hoping silverware will come to them in the next few years.

A good cup run this season would be very welcome as they challenge for a European spot in the league table.

Image source, Getty Images

It's been a rough few months for Derby County but they are determined to enjoy their big night out at Liverpool.

There will be plenty of backing for the League One club with all 5,667 Rams tickets for Anfield snapped up quickly.

"Hopefully it's a sign of things to come," Derby boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby.

"I'm not saying that in two years we are going to be playing in the Premier League against Liverpool, but it reminds you of where you want to be as a football club.

"It's also an opportunity for the fans to just enjoy being a Derby fan because the club is still here, growing in a healthy trajectory."

"I know Roberto de Zerbi well," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

"I’ve followed him, I think he’s an extraordinary coach with very clear ideas that I really enjoy watching and they will put a big test on us.

"Every coach has their own way of playing and they are very consistent in a lot of things that they do.

"We will prepare the game expecting more of the same that they have been doing."

Image source, Reuters

Blackburn were a Premier League club the last time they reached the fourth round of this competition in 2011-12.

But are the good times coming back to Ewood Park?

Under Danish boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, Rovers are flying in the Championship and sit second in the table.

It's a big few days for the club. Rovers will return from London to prepare for Sunday's top-of-the-table east Lancashire derby with Burnley (12:30 GMT).

That's a HUGE game in that neck of the woods.

This is Southampton's first game since sacking boss Ralph Hasenhuttl after nearly four years in charge.

Luton boss Nathan Jones is the frontrunner but says it is not a "done deal".

Assistant boss Ruben Selles takes temporary charge tonight.

The 39-year-old Spaniard left FC Copenhagen for the Saints in the summer.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Will Jarrod Bowen make the England plane for the World Cup?

The West Ham forward has appeared four times for his country in 2022 - two starts and two from the substitutes bench.

But Bowen, 25, has not played for the Three Lions since June.

Gareth Southgate names the 26 players he is taking to Qatar on Thursday at 14:00 GMT.

Former Hereford player Bowen has scored five times for the Hammers in all competitions this season.