Liverpool return to action tonight with a heavyweight Carabao Cup tie against Manchester City, with youngster Stefan Bajcetic handed a start in midfield but no Roberto Firmino.
After the World Cup break, both teams have been deciding when and how to phase in the returns of their key players, with the Premier League’s festive restart now only days away.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp was particularly impressed with young trio Bajcetic, Ben Doak and Melkamu Frauendorf after Liverpool put four goals past AC Milan in their last of two mid-season friendlies, with the Spaniard rewarded this evening.
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Speaking ahead of the game with Man City at the Etihad on Thursday, Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders told reporters: “If the World Cup proved one thing it is that you need your whole squad.
“When we play League Cup, it is always during a busy schedule. It is a perfect moment to use a full squad. It is a different situation as we've had a long time off. Age is just a number. We still believe we need to give our talents chance because we believe in them."
Absent for Liverpool this evening are the injured quartet of Arthur Melo, Diogo Jota, Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz, while Firmino is also out with a calf issue. Ibrahima Konate is unavailable following France’s World Cup final defeat.
However, Klopp’s other injury issues have eased over the break with Naby Keita and Joel Matip back fit. Matip starts tonight, though World Cup stars such as Virgil van Dijk and Alisson are absent.
Liverpool go with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho up front, with Harvey Elliott also in midfield.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Milner, Matip, Gomez, Robertson, Bajcetic, Thiago, Elliott, Salah, Nunez, Carvalho
Subs: Adrian, Fabinho, Keita, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tsimikas, Ramsay, Phillips, Doak
