Everton forced to move EFL Cup tie at short notice

What the report says

Everton have been compelled to reschedule their Carabao Cup third-round match against Wolves at short notice, with the fixture now moving from Wednesday, 9 September to Wednesday, 16 September. The change affects a last-32 tie that was originally set for Goodison Park and was arranged in part to avoid clashing with Liverpool’s home cup schedule on the same night.

According to BBC Sport, the adjustment became necessary after UEFA released its Champions League fixtures and confirmed Liverpool would begin their European campaign at Anfield against Atletico Madrid on 9 September. Because Merseyside Police do not permit Liverpool and Everton to host home matches on the same evening, the EFL was left to rearrange the cup programme. The organisation said it had “no option” but to move the game, and expressed frustration at UEFA’s refusal to alter Liverpool’s European date.

The switch also has a knock-on effect for Wolves, whose Championship match against Portsmouth must now be postponed until 20 October. Liverpool’s own Carabao Cup third-round tie against Tottenham has been brought forward by one day, to Tuesday, 15 September. More broadly, BBC Sport notes that UEFA’s expanded club competitions have added scheduling complications for English cup football, prompting the EFL to introduce a pre-draw to avoid clashes involving teams in Europe.