Liverpool begin the defence of their EFL Cup with the visit of League One outfit Derby County at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The Reds defeated Chelsea 11-10 on penalties in the final of the 2021-22 EFL Cup, winning the cup competition for the ninth time in their history. They head into the midweek cup tie off the back of a solid 2-1 away win over Tottenham in the Premier League, courtesy of a Mohamed Salah brace.
The victory at Tottenham saw Jurgen Klopp’s side end a two-game winless run in the Premier League, and they will be determined to go past Derby County into the fourth round of the domestic cup competition.
Liverpool Team News
Joel Matip is expected to miss out again with a calf problem, but James Milner could be back after serving the six-day concussion protocol.
Naby Keita (muscle) is short of match fitness despite a return to training and will not be a part of the Liverpool squad in midweek. Meanwhile, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo are long-term absentees for the Reds.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup vs Derby County (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher is a certainty to replace Alisson Becker in goal after playing a vital role in winning the competition for Liverpool last term, scoring the title-clinching penalty against Chelsea in the final.
Defence
Jurgen Klopp is expected to rotate his squad on Wednesday as he looks to keep his first-team players fresh and fit for the final league game at the weekend before the World Cup hiatus.
So, he could provide Ibrahima Konate a night off after the defender recently returning from a muscle injury, which could open the door for Joe Gomez to start in the Liverpool lineup.
Virgil van Dijk is the Reds’ defensive lynchpin and should partner Gomez in central defence against Derby County. Kostas Tsimikas should take Andy Robertson’s place at left-back, while young Calvin Ramsay is primed for his first start of the season at right-back in the Liverpool lineup.
Midfield
In what is expected to be a rotated side, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will join Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones in the Reds’ engine room. Henderson will operate as the defensive midfielder, giving Oxlade-Chamberlain and Jones the license to roam forward.
Stefan Bajcetic may get an opportunity to impress off the bench in the second half.
Attack
Harvey Elliot, Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez should also benefit from rotation up front, with the latter going through the middle this time around after playing out wide against Tottenham.
Elliot will start on the right in the Liverpool lineup, with Carvalho hoping to enjoy a productive night on the right against the Rams.
Mohamed Salah and Thiago Alcantara could be afforded a rest to keep them fresh and healthy against Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend.