Liverpool make their long-awaited return to competitive football this evening when they face Manchester City at the Etihad in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
It's been nearly six weeks since the Reds beat Southampton 3-1 at Anfield, with seven of Jurgen Klopp's side representing their countries in the World Cup while the rest of the squad jetted off to Dubai. Friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan featured during the trip to the Middle East, but tonight marks the true return of domestic action as teams get set for the second-half of the campaign.
A penalty shootout win against League One Derby County saw Liverpool through the third round back in November, and while the majority of those who flew to Qatar will likely be rested, Klopp is expected to name a strong side, given the opponent and obvious boost that would come with starting strongly.
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Tonight's meeting will likely come to soon for those whose World Cup campaigns progressed into the knockout stages, certainly for Ibrahima Konate, who came off the bench for France in Sunday's epic final. Five Reds were eliminated at the round-of-16, with Jordan Henderson, Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk all featuring heavily for their respective sides during the tournament - despite their lesser involvement, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho will still likely be rested.
One returning player likely to feature in some capacity is Darwin Nunez, with the forward out at the group stages and back in time to score a quick-fire brace in Friday's 4-1 win against AC Milan. The Uruguayan will likely start at the Etihad alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Naby Keita could also be in-line for a first competitive match since his late appearance in the Community Shield win over City back in August, having completed his latest recovery in Dubai before featuring against both Lyon and Milan. The 27-year-old could be set to start against any two of Thiago Alcantara, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harvey Elliott or Fabio Carvalho in midfield.
Or could there be space for Stefan Bajcetic, the Spaniard one of three young Reds who impressed massively in Dubai - Ben Doak and Bobby Clark also standing out when coming off the bench in the win against AC Milan.
The more experienced trio of Andy Robertson, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez will also be involved this evening, with Caoimhin Kelleher poised to start in goal.
Goalkeepers: Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Defenders : Andy Robertson, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas, Nat Phillips, Calvin Ramsay.
Midfielders : Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Stefan Bajcetic.
Forwards: Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Bobby Clark, Ben Doak.
Sidelined: Alisson (rested), Trent Alexander-Arnold (rested), Virgil van Dijk (rested), Ibrahima Konate (rested), Fabinho (rested), Jordan Henderson (rested), Arthur Melo (muscle issue), Luis Diaz (knee), Diogo Jota (calf injury).
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