The Carabao Cup was the ultimate trophy lifted aloft by Jurgen Klopp and it might effectively be the primary claimed by new Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
Liverpool start the defence of their title on Wednesday night within the third spherical of the competitors, internet hosting West Ham United – a aspect they beat 5-1 on their journey to glory final time period. On paper, the Reds ought to guide their spot within the subsequent spherical, however a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest nearly two weeks in the past proves that they can not afford any complacency midweek.
Rotation might additionally make life tougher for Liverpool, with Slot needing to supply a few of his key starters a deserved relaxation given the hectic upcoming schedule. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the in-form Luis Diaz might all be given the night time off.
Right here is how Liverpool might line up on Wednesday.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – With Alisson lacking the win over Bournemouth and a confirmed absentee midweek, Kelleher shall be tasked with guarding the Anfield nets. Determined to be a primary elsewhere, he is solely prone to be Liverpool’s cup goalkeeper this time period.
RB: Conor Bradley – With Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool future doubtful, the Reds might be counting on Bradley weekly in future years. The Northern Irishman’s spectacular begin to his Anfield profession is prone to proceed below Slot.
CB: Jarell Quansah – After being hooked at half-time in Liverpool’s Premier League opener, Quansah hasn’t been seen since. That can in all probability change on Wednesday although, with the teenager doubtless up towards the highly effective Michail Antonio.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – In a much-changed backline, the skipper might retain his place. Whereas Joe Gomez is a candidate to switch the Dutch defender, Liverpool do want a stage of continuity of their beginning lineup – particularly within the defence.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – The left-back produced a really Tsimikas-esque efficiency in his current begin towards Milan within the Champions League. Encouraging going ahead however reckless defensively, you are by no means overly certain what you are going to get from the Greek worldwide.
DM: Wataru Endo – Slot is evidently not a member of the Endo fan membership however he is nonetheless prone to utilise the midfielder this season sparingly. The Japan captain’s future will hinge on his performances within the cup competitions.
DM: Curtis Jones – Having suffered with harm points in the beginning of the season, Jones ought to make his first begin of the season on Wednesday. He scored twice towards West Ham in final yr’s Carabao Cup conflict.
RM: Federico Chiesa – Slot has hinted at a primary begin for summer season signing Chiesa towards the Irons, even when the Italian could solely final an hour or so. Liverpool followers shall be excited to get a correct view of the Euro 2020 winner, who’s prone to substitute Salah on the fitting flank.
AM: Dominik Szoboszlai – Szoboszlai has made a cracking begin to 2024/25 – as was the case in 2023/24 as effectively – and has thrived in a extra superior midfield position below Slot. Additionally scoring within the 5-1 win over West Ham final time period, he could retain his beginning spot midweek.
LM: Cody Gakpo – The Dutch ahead was one in every of Liverpool’s standout performers in his first begin below Slot towards Milan. He is evidently picked up from the place he left off on the finish of final season and at Euro 2024.
ST: Diogo Jota – Jota was a shock omission towards Bournemouth, not that includes in any respect within the 3-0 victory. Darwin Nunez changed him and scored a magnificence, maybe relegating the Portuguese to the quantity two spot in the interim.
