Liverpool enter the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, welcoming Leicester City to Anfield for the first time since the Foxes were relegated to the Championship last season.
The start to the 2023/24 season really couldn’t be much better for the Reds. They are unbeaten in the Premier League and currently second behind Manchester City, won their Europa League opener against LASK and are scoring goals for fun.
After last year’s hugely disappointing campaign, fans had every right to be hesitant at the start of this season.
But six wins, one draw and four midfield signings later, Liverpool supporters couldn’t be in much higher spirits right now. Jurgen Klopp will be confident going into the Carabao Cup against Leicester, but will also be relieved to have a full squad to choose from and very few injuries or suspensions.
Thiago Alcantara, Conor Bradley are the only names certain not to feature, with Trent Alexander-Arnold the only doubt, but fans are quietly optimistic the 24-year-old will be available soon after initially expecting a three-week absence. is now ready.
With all this in mind, let’s take a look at how Liverpool could line up this Saturday.
Defense Rotation
Mr Carabao Cup himself, Caoimhin Kelleher will surely start this match after his exploits in years past.
Alisson Becker is obviously Liverpool’s number one, but someone of Kelleher’s stature as a back-up is an incredible testament to the squad’s depth. With Alexander-Arnold fit for Wednesday’s game, it is doubtful that Joe Gomez will continue on the right for his team – and given the recent performances of Liverpool’s longest-serving player, the fans certainly don’t mind.
Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah could both start in midfield for Liverpool. Konate has not long returned from injury and his league minutes are still in check, while 20-year-old Quansah could make his domestic trophies this season.
Joel Matip’s monster performance against West Ham could mean he is ruled out for this match and could instead be kept for another start against Spurs at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas is likely to get his second start of the season to keep Andy Robertson fit and ready for a tough weekend game.
Chances for young stars
Even if Thiago is not available, Liverpool have an absolute wealth of midfielders at Klopp’s disposal and plenty of young, hungry midfielders who see the Carabao Cup as a route to a more permanent place in the starting line-up.
Ryan Gravenberch has impressed in limited appearances since joining from Bayern Munich in the summer and could be in with a chance to make a positive start against West Ham.
As one of the club’s only specialist defensive midfielders, Wataru Endo was able to slot into a number six role against Leicester, giving Gravenberch and anyone behind him license to attack without leaving the defense vulnerable to the opposition.
As for the third place, Stefan Bajcetic will almost certainly be there, but he could be on the bench.
Harvey Elliott is the most likely starter in Liverpool’s more attacking midfield. Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister are clearly tradable for Liverpool’s biggest games, and Tottenham, who are just around the corner, will certainly not compromise them.
The squad could also include 18-year-old Bobby Clark, who did not play in the Reds’ Europa League opener.
Doubts in attack
The forward department is arguably Liverpool’s strongest asset this season, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz deserving of a starting spot.
Most of the time, though, the Reds can only use three at a time, and this season Salah, Nuñez and Diaz have played at such a level that it’s hard for anyone to disagree that they are the club’s best front line. three if it’s all right.
With that trio likely to start against Tottenham on Saturday, they could be restricted to bench duties on Wednesday. Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo are likely to start, just like in the Europa League against LASK.
Scottish teenager Ben Doak is believed to be involved in the attack. The 17-year-old may still be raw, but his potential is out of this world and he is making strides this season to cement his place as Salah’s understudy in the early stages of Liverpool’s cup campaign.
PREDICTIONS LIVERPOOL STARTING XI AGAINST WOLVES
(4-3-3): Caoimhin Kelleher; Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas; Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch; Ben Doak, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota
