Liverpool travel to play MK Dons tonight in their third-round Carabao Cup fixture where Jurgen Klopp is likely to heavily rotate The Reds’ starting eleven.
In what is already Liverpool’s 10th competitive fixture of the season (when including the Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup games), many fringe players are sure to be given some game-time in Milton Keynes.
Young Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start at Stadium MK. If he does, it will be Kelleher’s competitive debut for The Reds.
In defence, Ki-Jana Hoever could play at right-back with James Milner filling in on the left of the back four. Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren will more than likely form the central defensive partnership.
I expect the midfield trio to consist of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana – meaning Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum will be rested.
In attack, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi are out. This means Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones will most likely play on either side of youngster Rhian Brewster.
It will be exciting to see young talent like Brewster, Hoever, Elliott and Jones attempt to make the next step in their development.
Other more senior players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gomez and Keita will be eager to impress Klopp. They will continue to battle for more first-team minutes in both the Premier League and Champions League as the season progress.
Predicted Liverpool lineup (4-3-3) Vs MK Dons: Kelleher; Hoever, Gomez, Lovren, Milner; Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana; Jones, Brewster, Elliott
After the MK Dons game, Liverpool play Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in the early game on Saturday.
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