After scraping past Sunderland with a deserved 2-0 victory at the weekend, Liverpool have the chance to reach the English League Cup semi-finals for the third successive year. But first, they must get past Leeds at Anfield, a fixture that used to hold so much promise 50 years ago when Shankley and Revie would go head to head. Now Leeds making their first return to Anfield for over 13 years, with their last match resulting in David N'gog scoring the only goal in a 1-0 at Elland Road. With the devastating injury to Phillipe Coutinho adding to an increasingly worrying injury list, Klopp is looking to mirror the 2-1 win against Tottenham in the previous round and rotate his side.
Another chance for youth
Klopp made a full eleven changes from the side that beat West Brom 2-1 at Anfield to take on Tottenham and the youthful side replicated the result. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marko Grujic and Ovie Ejaria were handed their debuts for the EFL Cup clash and none of them disappointed. Alexander-Arnold earned himself a yellow card with a rash tackle on Davies but despite that had a solid game at right back being replaced by Clyne at the 68th minute. Ejaria was the only one out of the youngsters to complete the full 90 minutes with Can replacing Grujic a minute before. All are expected to return to the line-up and will be hoping to replicate if not better their previous performance.
Also 17-year-old Ben Woodburn, who became Liverpool's third youngest ever player at the weekend is expected to play in some capacity. I'm expecting Origi to lead the line with perhaps a 10/15 minute cameo appearance for the youngster.
Chance for the fringe players to impress
Mignolet, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno and Stewart all started against Tottenham, players who are considered to be on the fringe of the Liverpool squad.
Whilst a sporadic appearance for the young lads is expected for tomorrow night's game, the same can't be said for the rest of the Tottenham starters. With Klopp expecting a tight game at Anfield.
"It is about having a line-up which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds are in a really good moment. They are a Football-playing side and they will force us into a lot of things so we need to work hard in these games.
The players need to be fit for this. We don't want to rest somebody who doesn't need a rest. It is possible we will make a few changes; it is possible we will play nearly the same team".
Having lost out to the final last year on penalties to Manchester City, it is looking like Klopp is gunning for this cup once more, looking for that first trophy as Liverpool manager. The selection that the German chooses will certainly be to win the game at Anfield and the stronger the side, the easier it should hopefully be. They will be expected to walk Leeds but the magic of the cup has produced bigger surprises. The likes of Mignolet and co. will be hoping to force their way into tomorrow's starting line-up. But it is looking more like a strong side for the clash with the inclusion of a select group of youngsters.
