Ian Doyle - Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones start
Wembley. One game. Win it, and Liverpool will be there.
Not since 2016 have the Reds been in a domestic final and victory at Arsenal this evening will set up a showdown with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup next month.
But what should Jurgen Klopp be doing?
There has been plenty of debate over the goalkeeper position and, as the previously-announced League Cup keeper, Caoimhin Kelleher should start ahead of Alisson Becker.
Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday and I think there should be a few changes in defence as a consequence tonight.
Ibrahima Konate can come in at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk while Kostas Tsimikas gets the nod at left-back in place of Andy Robertson. Trent Alexander-Arnold can continue at right-back.
In midfield, Curtis Jones did enough against Brentford on Sunday to keep his starting role with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Up top, while it's tempting to call on Kaide Gordon, the youngster can be used from the bench.
Instead, it's Takumi Minamino on the right this time, with Diogo Jota left and Roberto Firmino down the middle.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Minamino, Firmino, Jota.
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Paul Gorst - Alisson Becker faith kept
Wembley is calling for Liverpool, but they’ll have to do a lot more than last week to answer it.
With Crystal Palace also on the to-visit list this week, the question is just how strong Jurgen Klopp will go at the Emirates tonight.
No Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a blow and this game comes too soon for Harvey Elliott who is back in team training at Kirkby.
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino start for me though and I’m resisting the urge to give Kaide Gordon the nod in favour of Takumi Minamino’s experience.
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I’d go as strong as possible in midfield too so Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both keep their place and I’m trusting Curtis Jones to build on his encouraging performance against Brentford last week.
Despite Caoimhin Kelleher’s form in this competition so far I’m keeping faith with Alisson Becker between the sticks.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Minamino, Firmino, Jota.
Theo Squires - Virgil van Dijk in defence
Liverpool are 90 minutes (Or 120 minutes plus a potential penalty shoot out) away from a trip to Wembley and a League Cup final clash with Chelsea.
They have to go strong against Arsenal. The League Cup might not be the Reds’ priority in August and September, but it has to be up there come January and February when you get to this stage of the competition.
Ibrahima Konate partners Virgil van Dijk as to not over-assert Joel Matip’s legs, with the Cameroonian having already played twice in the past week after recovering from Covid.
Thursday’s trip to the Emirates sadly comes too soon for Harvey Elliott, who returned to team training this week, meaning Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ankle injury leaves little room to manoeuvre for this one.
Fabinho sits deep with Jordan Henderson to the right of him and Curtis Jones retaining his place from the side that beat Brentford on Sunday, to ensure it is the same midfield trio.
Meanwhile, Takumi Minamino is back in in place of the injured Oxlade-Chamberlain with injuries elsewhere leaving Jurgen Klopp with little choice but to play the same front three that struggled against Arsenal last Thursday.
Hopefully they’ll be a lot more effective in the capital.
My Liverpool team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Jones; Minamino, Firmino, Jota.
Joe Rimmer - Alisson Becker plays
Liverpool are two victories away from silverware.
Turn your nose up at the League Cup if you like, but the Reds should never miss an opportunity to add prizes to the Anfield trophy cabinet.
And that means playing the strongest team available this evening - even if it results in players previously enjoying this competition dropping out.
Therefore I'm picking Alisson Becker ahead of Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
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A bit of rotation in defence can't hurt to keep Liverpool fresh and bringing in Kostas Tsimikas and Ibrahima Konate will add pace to the backline and allow the Reds to get up the pitch.
In midfield, Curtis Jones keeps his place after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's injury, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson to back him up.
I'd really like to shake up the attack, but Divock Origi has been injured and Kaide Gordon too young, so it's Takumi Minamino, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Minamino, Firmino, Jota.
Charlotte Coates - Takumi Minamino wide
Is this Liverpool’s biggest game of the season so far? I think so.
A cup final is at stake and a day out for the fans at Wembley.
Will Jurgen Klopp play his strongest starting XI? I’m not so sure. In goal will be Caoimhin Kelleher in place of Alisson Becker.
I think Trent Alexander-Arnold will keep his place at right-back and in the centre of defence will be Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk. Kostas Tsimikas will take the place of Andy Robertson at left-back.
In midfield, the trio will be Fabinho - who is in goal scoring form - alongside Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones. Jones will offer something they so dearly missed in the first leg - creativity and dribbling power.
In the forward three, I think we’ll see Roberto Firmino down the middle and then Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino will occupy the spots either side of the Brazilian.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher, Trent, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Minamino, Jota, Firmino.
