Liverpool face Arsenal for the second time this week when the sides meet in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash at Anfield. What will be The Reds’ starting eleven?
Both teams are likely to field much-changed starting lineups compared to Monday night’s Premier League game which Liverpool won 3-1.
Jürgen Klopp is without Jordan Henderson, Joël Matip, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kostas Tsimikas and Thiago Alcântara.
Speaking about some of the unavailable players, assistant manager Pep Lijnders told Liverpoolfc.com:
“Jordan, we will re-evaluate on Friday after this game to see if he can be ready for Aston Villa.
“Joël is the same as what I said last week, he will be ready [after] the international break and use the time to prepare the Everton game.
“Ox is progressing well. He’s in a good way and it’s really important for him that this first phase goes smooth. But, of course, that takes a much longer time.
“We have Kostas, who after the Lincoln game had a thigh problem. We thought it would settle, it didn’t, so he will need more time. He will not be involved on Thursday and also not on Sunday.”
Adrián is likely to start in goal as he did at Lincoln City last week. He’ll have a back four in front of him which could consist of Neco Williams and James Milner at right and left-back respectively. Rhys Williams may partner Sepp van den Berg in central defence. Billy Koumetio is also an option at centre-back as the young defender continues his road back to full fitness.
I think it could be the same midfield trio that started against Lincoln. That is Marko Grujic, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott.
The front three then could be Xherdan Shaqiri on the right with Takumi Minamino through the middle and Diogo Jota wide left.
Predicted Liverpool lineup (4-3-3) vs Arsenal: Adrián; Williams N, Williams R, Van den Berg, Milner; Grujic, Jones, Elliott; Shaqiri, Minamino, Jota
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