Liverpool welcome Fulham to Anfield in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night as they aim to all but secure their place at Wembley before visiting Craven Cottage.
The Reds lifted the Carabao Cup once under Jurgen Klopp, winning the trophy in 2022, and they have a great chance of going all the way again this season. The Merseyside outfit have lost just once in domestic competitions this term and started their FA Cup campaign on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the third round.
However, Fulham will be no pushovers and they head to Anfield off the back of a 1-0 win over Rotherham in the FA Cup third round.
Liverpool Team News
Liverpool’s lengthy absentee list got a little longer on Tuesday after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out for a few weeks with a knee problem. He sustained the setback during Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Arsenal in the FA Cup, leaving manager Jurgen Klopp with another selection headache.
Mohamed Salah is on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Wataru Endo is with Japan at the Asian Cup. Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas should return to training at the end of the month as they continue their recovery from shoulder injuries. Dominik Szoboszlai is out with a hamstring problem, but captain Virgil van Dijk is back available after recovering from illness.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs Fulham (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal for Liverpool against Fulham in midweek, assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed in his pre-match press conference. The Republic of Ireland international started each of Liverpool’s previous three matches in the competition this season and will be hoping to keep a clean sheet on his fourth outing.
Defence
Having Virgil van Dijk back from illness is a big boost for the hosts, and the Dutchman should walk straight into Klopp’s first XI. He is expected to partner Ibrahima Konate in central defence.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold out injured, Klopp could turn to young Conor Bradley to deputise at right-back. Joe Gomez has filled in well at left-back since Kostas Tsimikas’ injury, and the Englishman will look to mark his 200th appearance for the Reds with a strong display.
Midfield
In Wataru Endo’s absence, Alexis Mac Allister will be the holding midfielder, and he will have the support of Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliot. The trio will look to control the ball possession, dictate the pace of this game and create chances for the forwards.
Curtis Jones could be involved at some point in the second half.
Attack
Jurgen Klopp’s half-time changes against Arsenal set the stage for Liverpool’s eventual victory in the FA Cup and thus Luis Diaz, who switched flanks, could continue down the right on Wednesday. Diogo Jota has impressed since returning from injury last month and could start on the left flank.
Cody Gakpo may get the nod ahead of Darwin Nunez to lead the Liverpool attack against Marco Silva’s side. The Dutchman is more likely to operate as a false 9, dropping deeper in midfield to link up play and get Jota and Diaz bombing from either flank.
