Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino says he will give younger players an opportunity once more in the EFL Cup tie at Liverpool later this month.
A youthful Spurs team booked a fourth-round trip to Anfield on Oct. 25 courtesy of a 5-0 home victory over League One Gillingham last month.
Liverpool, who are not competing in Europe this season, are expected to field a strong XI in the match but Pochettino has challenged the club's young players to impress against Jurgen Klopp's in-form side.
"For me, they are not kids or boys -- they are players, [who can] show and prove that they can compete and have the quality to stay in the first team," Pochettino said. "It is the same to play against Gillingham at White Hart Lane and against Liverpool at Anfield."
Summer signing Georges-Kevin N'koudou, 21, and academy graduates Cameron Carter-Vickers, 18, Marcus Edwards, 17, and Anton Walkes, 18, made their debuts against Gillingham, while Harry Winks made his first start for the club.
"They need to show. We believe in them and if my team is the same as against Gillingham or some changes, they need to prove they have quality," he added. "You know, always the big, big players start their career and they need to make their debut sometimes in a difficult place like Anfield.
"We are involved in Champions League and they [the younger players] are not involved in European competition so it is a good opportunity for our players who do not play too much or the younger players to build their reputation and build their career and confidence for the future."
