Liverpool have drawn Northampton Town at home in the third round of the Carling Cup.
The tie will take place week commencing September 20th and if recent ventures in the competition are anything to go by, the side fielded on the day is likely to be a mixture of up and coming youngsters, first eleven fringe players and some senior experience for good measure. The club has now gone four years without a trophy but the League cup format shows 7 wins for the Reds over the years – 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1994-95, 2000-01, 2002-03
Liverpool last won the competition in the 2002-03 season under the reign of Gérard Houllier, the Worthington Cup as it was known at the time. Steven Gerrard opened the scoring on the day against arch rivals Manchester United, as his effort from over 25yards out flew past Fabien Barthez, catching a deflection off David Beckham along the way. Michael Owen went on to wrap the game up 2-0 for the Reds with 4minutes remaining, in a game that also saw some inspired goalkeeping from Jerzy Dudek.
Gerrard Goal : League Cup Final 2003
Owen Goal : League Cup Final 2003
The Reds only appearance to date in the final, under the Carling Cup format, was in 2005. John Arne Riise on the volley, smashed Liverpool in front with just 45 seconds on the clock but following a Steven Gerrard own goal ten minutes from time, Chelsea eventually ran out 3-2 winners after extra time on the day.
The Reds have not played Northampton in a competitive fixture since 1966 when the two teams fought out a 0-0 draw at the County Ground. However, a year earlier in 1965 in their last visit to Anfield, their fortunes were not as good as Northampton left on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline.