Goalkeeper
Loris Karius
This is certain to happen, as Klopp has already stated Karius will make his debut later on. A cup game is the right moment to throw in Karius without too much pressure on him. Joel Matip made his debut in the EFL cup tie against Burton Albion and has started every game since then so Karius needs a good solid game here to really put the pressure on Simon Mignolet.
Defence
National Clyne
Clyne seems to start every game for Liverpool and so rarely misses a game. We are so thin in this area that Clyne can’t be rested too many times at all. Our back up right back options are youngsters Conor Randall and Trent Alexandre Arnold so we are very thin in this area so I expect Clyne to start again.
Lucas Leiva
Klopp may choose to rest first choice centre back pairing Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren for this cup game and give other players a chance. Lovren has only just recovered from an eye injury and Matip iis only just reaching full match fitness. There is a case for Mamadou Sakho to start this game but he isn’t fully match fit yet so I expect Lucas to get the nod.
Ragnar Klaven
Klaven started our first two league games of the season but since then Joel Matip has replaced him as most people expected. Klaven picked up a injury on the recent international break for Estonia and this is why he hasn’t featured on the bench either.
Alberto Moreno
James Milner has replaced Moreno as our starting left back but is now 32 years old so he could do with a deserved rest. This offers a big opportunity to the much maligned Spanish fullback to prove to Klopp he can improve defensively and grow into the role.
Midfield
Kevin Stewart
Stewart regularly featured in the dying minutes of Liverpool games to help see out the game so it makes sense that he gets a couple of games under his belt to be prepared for coming off the bench. The three man midfield that played against Chelsea I expect to be rested so expect a lot of midfield changes.
Emre Can
Can is back in training and is closing in on full match fitness now, a key part of our team last season but he could face a struggle to get back into Klopp’s starting plans with the midfield performing so well recently. Will need a good game here but he offers Liverpool a bit more power in the midfield and could allow Henderson to play in a more central midfield role while Can is the more natural holding midfielder.
Marco Grujic
Grujic has been on the bench for every Liverpool game so far but he hasn’t made too many appearances’ in a red shirt so you would think that he is a certain started in tonight’s game in my book and after having a great preseason he deserves a chance to show Klopp what he can do.
Forwards
Ovie Ejario
Ejario is in line to make his Liverpool debut today, he was put on the bench in the game with Chelsea and he didn’t feature in the under 23s team the other day so all signs suggest he could make his debut after impressing in preseason.
Divock Origi
Origi has been relegated to Liverpool’s third choice striker this season, behind Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge. He has made appearances of the bench and played the last 35 minutes against Chelsea. Origi since his injury in the Merseyside derby last season hasn’t really found his form yet so hopefully he can put in a strong performance here.
Roberto Firmino
Firmino could have played against Chelsea on Friday but Klopp didn’t want to risk him, so I expect him to start here. Mane had a similar situation where he picked up a slight injury and missed the Premier League encounter with Burnley but then featured against Burton Albion so Firmino could get a place on the wing tonight where he has impressed recently.
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