Liverpool's League Cup triumph last season was not enough to prevent a summer of major upheaval at Anfield.
But with the season barely a month old there are question marks over whether those changes have set them on the path to improvement or actually left them in an even more precarious position.
One of the consequences of the blood-letting on Merseyside was the departure of first-team coach Steve Clarke who seems to have settled nicely into his new role as head coach at The Hawthorns.
His masterminding of a 3-0 victory over his former employers on the opening day of the season suggested Liverpool's loss was most definitely West Brom's gain.
That result was no anomaly in the story of the season so far. For the Baggies it was the springboard to their best ever start in the Premier League. For Liverpool it signalled the beginning of their worst opening to a top flight season in more than a century.
As such it is the Baggies who will begin a clash with Liverpool in the unusual role of favourites.
This is the first meeting between the two sides in the League Cup since October 1997 when Liverpool won a third round tie 2-0 at The Hawthorns. West Brom has won three of the last four games between the two sides.
The Baggies have only made it past the third round once in the last six seasons, beating Manchester City 2-0 at this stage in 2010/11. Albion won the League Cup in the first season they entered it in 1965/66. Manager Steve Clarke won a League Cup winner's medal with Chelsea in 1998.
Current holders Liverpool have won the League Cup eight times - more than any other club. They beat three Premier League sides on the way to Wembley last season, Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City. The Reds have scored in each of their last 12 League Cup ties.
West Brom boss Steve Clarke may choose to make changes to the side that beat Reading on Saturday.
Striker Shane Long is among those pushing for a return to the starting XI.
Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is out of action with a knee ligament injury, while Jonjo Shelvey is suspended.
Daniel Agger is also out with a bruised knee problem while Fabio Borini suffered a swollen ankle at the weekend.
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