Liverpool vs West Ham - Carabao Cup: Live score, team news and updates

This statistic is mental, it really is.

Sometimes I forget just how long Raheem Sterling has been playing football. he has been around for a while.

The craziest thing is, he is still only 29.

The Liverpool players have arrived and look like they mean business.

I have just been sifting through our pictures in the sifting and there are barely any smiles.

I know it's time to focus, but surely you can look at least slightly happy to be there.

I guess they know best, though.

Julen Lopetegui makes eight changes from the side that were humbled 3-0 by Chelsea.

The Hammers boss told fans to be patient with Jean-Clair Todibo and Carlos Soler due to their lack of minutes.

Well, tonight he starts both of the new boys at Anfield. Now it's their time to show their mettle.

Thoughts on the team, Hammers fans?

I told you there would be changes.

Arne Slot has decided to make nine of them from Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth at the weekend.

There is a full debut for Federico Chiesa in what looks like a front four which also includes Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez.

Caohmin Kelleher and Nunez are the only two players who keep their spots.

Speaking of young Arsenal stars...

Mail Sport's Isaan Khan knows all things Gunners and took a look at five potential academy stars to watch out for tonight.

It's fair to say he came close to nailing it, with three of tonight's Arsenal's starters featuring in this article.

If you want to know more about them before they take to the pitch this evening, this Mail+ premium piece is the one for you.

You've still got lots of time, so go ahead.

Sign up to Mail+ to read and get more of the best exclusive content from our experts and columnists.

I wonder how this lad is feeling?

It's a huge day for Jaclk Porter who makes his senior debut between the sticks at just 16 years of age.

With David Raya out with a thigh issue, and back-up goalkeeper Neto cup-tied, the young stopper gets his big moment.

I must admit, he doesn't seem fazed by it all, but I bet his nerves are jangling deep down.

Whatever happens, making your first start for a club the size of Arsenal at just 16 is an incredible achievement.

At his age I was failing to revise for my GCSE's due to Candy Crush...

Ian Evatt has also decided to make a lot of changes.

The same amount as Mikel Arteta in fact, with seven players coming in from their 5-2 thumping of Reading.

Aaron Collins is trusted to lead the line instead of Dion Charles, with John McAtee partnering him up top.

Will they be able to find any joy?

To answer my own rhetorical question, I presume he will.

It is expected that a fair few Liverpool stars will be given a well-earned break from the starting 11.

One of those could be Mo Salah, with Federico Chiesa eagerly awaiting to make his full debut for the club.

Cody Gakpo could be another who comes in, while Conor Bradley may get his chance once more at right-back.

We will find out who starts a bit later.

But for now, use your imagination to make up some interesting starting line-ups, that's what I usually do.

I bet that feels good to read, right, Liverpool fans?

The Reds and the League Cup just always seem to gravitate towards each other, like a couple that just can't let go.

Liverpool have won this competition more than any other team in English football, reigning supreme on a total of 10 occasions.

The last one of those came only seven months ago in a packed Wembley, as Jurgen Klopp won his final trophy as Liverpool boss.

In one of the most action-packed finals in recent memory, it seemed Liverpool and Chelsea were heading for penalties.

Up step captain Virgil...

The Dutchman came up trumps in the 119th minute to ensure Klopp's kids returned back to the north west with the cup.

But that's in the past now. If they want that feeling again, they will have to start by beating West Ham tonight.

That is not a straightforward task...

Mikel Arteta is ringing the changes.

It's no surprise really, after the drama of Sunday's draw at Manchester City, some fresh bodies are certainly needed.

Only four members of the side that started at City keep their place, with Bukayo Saka not being given a rest after only playing 45 minutes at the Etihad.

As we revealed, Sterling will make his first start for the club with Gabriel Jesus also making up the front three.

And there are debuts for 16-year-old Jack Porter in goal and 18-year-old full-back Josh Nichols.

Raheem Sterling's time in an Arsenal shirt has now come.

We can tell you that the winger, who signed for the club on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, starts for the Gunners against Bolton tonight.

I bet he can't wait to get on that pitch after the last few months he has had to endure.

We will bring you the rest of the team news shortly...

13 games down, three to go.

However, we will have to wait until next week for one of them after Newcastle's trip to Wimbledon was postponed.

If you don't know why by now, you must have been living under a rock.

But we still have two juicy fixtures in store for you, don't worry.

Here is tonight's menu:

I love football at this time of year, don't you?

I know some of you are probably downbeat that summer is over, but there is a good thing to come out of it...

We know get more night matches under the lights!

Tonight, we have two more enticing third round Carabao Cup ties for you to get excited about.

The holders Liverpool are finally in action as they set off on their journey to defend their crown.

Arne Slot's men start with a repeat of last year's quarter-final as they host West Ham at Anfield. While in London, Arsenal face off against League One Bolton Wanderers.

While the Reds and the Gunners are certainly favourites to go through, nothing is a given when it comes to the cup.

With that, I think we should get this show on the road.