Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Saturday, December 24.
Caoimhin Kelleher Transfer decision
As the Liverpool team coach pulled away from the Etihad on Thursday night, there was surely one player more disappointed than most their reign as Carabao Cup holders had been brought to a premature end.
After all, not without reason do the Reds regard the competition as the domain of Caoimhin Kelleher.
The matchwinner in last season's thrilling final triumph over Chelsea, the Republic of Ireland international was decisive in ensuring Liverpool set up their showdown with Manchester City having saved three penalties in the shoot-out against Derby County in the previous round last month.
Indeed, nine of Kelleher's 19 appearances for the Reds have come in the League Cup, with Thursday only the third time he has finished on the losing side as a Liverpool player.
Yet when the teamsheet for Monday's Premier League visit to Aston Villa emerges, it would be a major surprise to see Kelleher anywhere but among the substitutes, such is Alisson Becker's undisputed position as the Reds' first-choice goalkeeper.
Read the rest of Ian Doyle's Blood Red column here.
Aston Villa changes
Liverpool will hope to truly kickstart the second-half of this unusual campaign on Boxing Day, following Thursday evening's false start.
The Reds return to Premier League action with a trip to Aston Villa, rejuvenated under new manager Unai Emery and coming off the back of consecutive league wins before the World Cup break. Carabao Cup defeat at the Etihad saw Jurgen Klopp go with a combination of first-team regulars and fringe options, as several of the core group were rested.
Monday's trip to Villa Park presents the first of three league games in the space of a week and a massive opportunity for the Reds to kick off the second-half of the season much better than the first. The importance of starting well will likely push Klopp to go as close to full strength as he can.
That will almost certainly see the return of both Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, although who partners the Dutch centre-back open up plenty of debate. Further forward, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho will hope for greater involvement after coming off the bench on Thursday, while there may be a forward space free after news of Roberto Firmino's calf problem.
Ponder over Liverpool's selection issues here.
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