Jurgen Klopp made ten changes for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third round match against Leicester City, with Curtis Jones the lone holdover from Sunday’s 3-1 triumph over West Ham United.
The 22-year-old led his boyhood club at Anfield, marking another watershed moment in his burgeoning Reds career. After a solid performance in the unusual right-back role, he was taken off in the dying embers and replaced by Stefan Bajcetic.
Klopp had to bring on Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez midway through the second half, and it paid off, with Szoboszlai slamming home from 20 yards out. Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota also scored to increase their confidence, finishing with aplomb past Jakub Stolarczyk.
Caiomhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Ibrahima Konate, and Kostas Tsimikas completed the back four changes from their win over the Hammers. Klopp confessed that Joe Gomez was not “OK” for the visit of Enzo Maresca’s side, but the German did affirm that the England defender will be available for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off).
Much depends on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness, however Klopp may prefer to ease the full-back back into action rather than throwing him in from the start against Spurs.
The rest of Liverpool’s backline, including Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson, will most likely return to action. Joel Matip played well against West Ham, but with the threat of Tottenham’s pace, Konate appears to be a feasible choice to start alongside the Dutch captain.
In Liverpool’s three-man midfield, Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch started, with Wataru Endo in the center. After a sluggish start, Endo came into his own in the second half, showing hints of what he might provide the midfield.
Gravenberch created the equalizer by feeding his Holland teammate Gakpo. Meanwhile, Elliott was unlucky not to find the back of the net, with a late effort saved off the line by Conor Coady.
Wednesday was a pleasant break for Alexis Mac Allister, who will almost certainly be brought in to replace the Japan midfielder. Gravenberch is still learning Klopp’s play patterns and is unlikely to dethrone Jones, who is slated to return to the left side of the midfield three.
Szoboszlai endeared himself to the Anfield crowd even more with his goal involvement five minutes after his entrance, and he looks ready to retake the starting spot at Elliott’s expense.
The lively Ben Doak didn’t hurt his selection claims with another scintillating performance down the right flank for Liverpool, although his place in the starting 11 is improbable with Mohamed Salah waiting in the wings.
This weekend, Luis Diaz will be eager to return to the field. The Colombian was at his flamboyant best on Wednesday, although while enjoying his pre-match preparations as a substitute, and his form from the start makes him a viable starter choice.
Nunez was called upon as he was introduced alongside Szoboszlai, the game’s scorer. With his tireless and tenacious pressing, the Uruguayan kept Anfield on its feet as he continues to amaze this season.
Gakpo exuded confidence, and his effort three minutes after the interval demonstrated that he is still very much a part of Liverpool’s attacking possibilities.
After struggling in the early stages of the season, the former PSV captain became an alternative for interlinking play for the Reds, swapping positions with Jota, which proved difficult for the Foxes.
Nunez’s starting role from the bench against LASK and West Ham could provide a glimpse into team selection on Saturday.
Predicted Liverpool line-up to face Tottenham Hotspur: Alisson; Gomez. Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.