Jürgen Klopp has confirmed his team for this evening’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham as Liverpool looks to take a big step towards a first trophy of the season.
The Reds are still in the hunt for four pieces of silverware, having knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup on Sunday. They can take a huge step towards a place at Wembley next month as they host Marco Silva’s side at Anfield this evening.
They will have to do it without Trent Alexander-Arnold though, with the Liverpool vice-captain joining the long list of absentees after picking up a knee injury. He’s expected to be missing for at least three weeks now.
READ MORE: Roy Keane names former Liverpool ace as ‘one of the best lads’ he came across in football
READ MORE: Liverpool squad can soon give itself boost as Jordan Henderson may change Saudi transfer reality
The Reds are at least boosted by the return of Virgil van Dijk from illness, and he returns in place of Jarell Quansah to captain the side tonight. Five changes are made in total from the weekend’s win at the Emirates Stadium.
Caoimhín Kelleher takes his usual spot in goal for the Carabao Cup, while Conor Bradley deputizes for Alexander-Arnold at right-back. Elsewhere, Ryan Gravenberch steps into midfield after starting on the bench at the weekend, with Diogo Jota leading the line as he replaces Darwin Núñez.
Confirmed Liverpool team vs Fulham: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Elliott, Jota, Díaz.
Ahead of tonight’s game, two of our Liverpool.com writers had their say on who they would select for this evening’s semi-final. Take a look at their teams below, and see how they compare to what Klopp has picked.
Matt Addison – Virgil van Dijk straight back in
Pep Lijnders has already confirmed that it will be Caoimhín Kelleher playing in goal, so we know that for starters. Having missed the Arsenal game with illness, Virgil van Dijk can come back into the side and I’d go with Ibrahima Konaté.
Conor Bradley will need to play right-back as there is no one else and even though Beck has been recalled, I’d stick with Joe Gomez and give the youngster half an hour off the bench if required. Playing Bradley and Beck is possible but would feel bold.
In midfield, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones came off against Arsenal and so they can start here, while Alexis Mac Allister needs minutes to get back into rhythm after his injury. Diogo Jota should come back into the side and I want Luis Díaz on the right, with Cody Gakpo through the middle. Gakpo only played an hour at the weekend while Darwin Núñez got the full game and so is benched here.
My starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Gomez; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Díaz, Gakpo, Jota
Predicted scoreline: 2-0 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch: Diogo Jota to continue his good run of form since returning from injury.
James Martin – All change at full-back
I was already keen to play Beck in this one, so as to give Gomez a much-deserved rest. He’s played a lot recently for someone with a shaky injury record. Given the Alexander-Arnold news, I’d throw in Bradley as well, banking on the experience and quality of Van Dijk and Konaté to guide them through it.
In midfield, Mac Allister should be ready to go again, having come off early against Arsenal. Jones has been a key performer lately, so I’d use him again too, switching out Elliott for Ryan Gravenberch in the name of rotation.
In attack, this month is a rare chance for Klopp to play around with his front line of the future. Díaz has shown promising signs in something akin to the Salah role on the right, while expensive center-forward signing Núñez has somewhat frustratingly looked at his best from the left. Liverpool could accommodate both here, with Jota through the middle.
My starting XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Beck; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Díaz, Jota, Núñez
Predicted scoreline: 3-1 to Liverpool.
One thing to watch: Darwin Núñez to cause more problems from the left flank.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
