LIVERPOOL may be second in the Premier League, but they will go into tomorrow morning's League Cup fourth round clash with Tottenham Hotspur as the underdogs.
While Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez looks set to rest a significant number of the players that have been instrumental in their fine start to the league campaign, it is unlikely Harry Redknapp will do anything of the sort.
With Redknapp having gotten Spurs off the bottom of the table in the League, the first phase of his mission at White Hart Lane is accomplished.
And now the Spurs manager must turn his attention to Tottenham's defence of a trophy they lifted last season in the euphoric early days of his predecessor, Juande Ramos' regime.
It gives Redknapp a second crack at this competition, having seen his previous side, Portsmouth, thrashed 4-0 at home by Chelsea in the third round.
Dramatic
He will be without left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who is suspended, while skipper Ledley King is set to be rested. Giovani dos Santos is also out with an ankle injury.
However, with Spurs having beaten Liverpool in a dramatic 2-1 win that began the London side's current three-match winning run, Redknapp also understands what another win over Liverpool and progression in the competition can do for his reinvigorated team.
It should help that they are likely to face a shadow of that Reds side this time around.
Benitez's side though will be seeking revenge for that recent defeat, their only loss so far this season.
But that will depend on Benitez making changes, and he is likely to make many, taking the likes of Steven Gerrard, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane out of the firing line.
He will also make a late decision regarding Fernando Torres.
The Spanish hotshot may be given the opportunity to build his match fitness following a recent hamstring injury that has kept him out of six games.
That could mean that Lucas Leiva, Philipp Degen, Emiliano Insua, Nabil El Zhar, Damien Plessis, and David Ngog will all be given the chance to impress at White Hart Lane, with the Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri also set for a run-out.
If Spurs think it will be a case of men against boys though, Benitez can also call on experienced heads like Sami Hyypia, Yossi Benayoun and Jermaine Pennant, who are all expected to play.
Opportunity
With a league trip to Bolton on Saturday at the back of his mind though, Benitez will be hoping to reach the next round with the minimum of disruption to the side that he has in mind for the Reebok Stadium.
Although all the attention has been on Liverpool's flying start in the league, Lucas says the players are keen to bring home every trophy they can.
'The League Cup is an opportunity for us to show what we can do,' he said.
'It's an opportunity not just for me but for all the players and the club.
