Jurgen Klopp made 11 changes for the visit of Tottenham last time in the League Cup, but he’s struggling for attacking options when Leeds United visit on Tuesday night.
The Reds welcome Garry Monk’s Championship outfit to Anfield with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs. Klopp’s men are the strong favourites but history has shown that cup shocks are always possible.
With December’s busy run of fixtures on the horizon, Klopp would no doubt love to make 11 changes again as he did last time vs. Spurs, but with injuries to Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge, plus Roberto Firmino hobbling off against Sunderland, he has no such luxury this time out.
Here’s a possible starting line-up with as many changes as possible this time around.
Simon Mignolet
Mignolet has made no secret of the fact that he is frustrated, having lost his place in the team to Loris Karius.
The Belgian will be eager to prove his worth and it makes perfect sense to give him a run-out.
Mignolet has his limitations as a goalkeeper, but to have him as back-up at Anfield is further proof of the squad depth Liverpool now possess.
He just needs to keep plugging away and show that he can be a more than able deputy if Karius suffers an injury or loss of form.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Big things are expected of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and after an impressive Reds debut against Tottenham in the last round, he could be handed another start on Tuesday.
Nathaniel Clyne is physically strong, but he needs to be rested from time to time, and his young teammate will be eager to shine again at right-back.
There is a fearlessness about Alexander-Arnold that you often see in the great young players, and without heaping needless pressure on him, he will not be daunted by what is a big game for Liverpool.
His future may lie away from right-back, but for the time being, it is the right position for him to showcase his huge talent.
Lucas Leiva
Back in 2007, if Liverpool supporters had been told Lucas would still be at Anfield nine years later and playing as a centre-back, they would have laughed.
That is exactly the situation the Brazilian finds himself in, though, and he has slotted intelligently into his new role, albeit as a squad player.
Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren could do with a night off, and Lucas’ experience will be important in a starting line-up likely to be littered with youngsters.
The 29-year-old has still only won one trophy with Liverpool – the 2012 League Cup – and it would be great to see him win another this season. It may well be his last at Anfield.
Ragnar Klavan
Like Lucas, Klavan is having to make do with sporadic appearances this season, although he was no doubt aware of the situation when he joined from Augsburg in the summer.
The Estonia captain has looked a solid option and is another who Liverpool’s younger players will look to for guidance.
Klavan performed well in his two other League Cup showings this season, against Derby and Spurs, and another good night at the office on Tuesday is required.
Keeping players like Klavan match fit is important, should one of Matip or Lovren miss a chunk of action at some stage.
Alberto Moreno
Moreno’s shortcomings have been given plenty of column inches, but he is still not nearly as bad as some would have you believe.
The Spaniard came back into the team against Crystal Palace and performed well on the whole, offering different attributes to James Milner at left-back.
It would be a huge surprise if Moreno didn’t come in against Leeds and it will be another opportunity to win around his detractors.
His pace and link-up play can be a potent weapon for the Reds.
Kevin Stewart
A couple of years ago, very few people had even heard of Kevin Stewart, and he wasn’t pencilled in as someone who would become a reliable squad member for Liverpool.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed a huge 2016, however, and is now a dependable back-up option to Jordan Henderson in midfield.
Nothing Stewart does is spectacular, but he reads the game well, uses the ball intelligently and acts as an effective shield in front of the defence.
Tuesday’s showdown is another chance for him to show he can be relied upon.
Marko Grujic
After an eye-catching pre-season, which included a memorable looping header in the 4-0 win over Barcelona, Grujic has been used far less than expected this season.
The young Serb has made just four appearances to date, starting just twice, and he wasn’t on the bench against Sunderland on Saturday.
The duo of Emre Can and Georginio Wijnaldum could be rested from the start against Leeds, giving Grujic a chance to prove his quality.
Ovie Ejaria
2016/17 has been a breakthrough campaign for Ovie Ejaria – one of the most exciting players in Liverpool’s ranks right now.
The 19-year-old shone in the 2-1 victory over Spurs in the fourth round, combining elegance, creativity and work-rate to great effect.
He is seemingly ahead of Grujic in Klopp’s plans at the moment, named on the bench against Sunderland.
Deployed in either Can or Wijnaldum’s midfield role ahead of Stewart, Ejaria has the ability to be a match-winner against Leeds.
With this being a quarter-final though, Klopp may well opt to keep one of Henderson, Can or Wijnaldum in his midfield, meaning one of Grujic or Ejaria doesn’t start.
Sadio Mane
With Coutinho injured and Firmino also hobbling off against Sunderland, Mane will be needed to start again.
The pacy Senegal winger will have a key role to play against the Championship side’s defence.
Daniel Sturridge – or Ben Woodburn
Speaking after the Sunderland game Klopp said he wasn’t sure when Sturridge would be fit to return, but he’ll be hoping he can train ahead of this game and be back in the lineup.
Sturridge’s involvement would see him partner Origi up front as the duo have done previously in his competition.
But should Sturridge not be fit, it could mean a full debut for 17-year-old Ben Woodburn, who came on in stoppage time against Sunderland.
Divock Origi
The Reds were in need of a hero against Sunderland and Origi stepped up to the plate in superb fashion.
The young Belgian curled an excellent finish into the Kop net and the celebrations inside Anfield showed what a big moment it was.
Origi has had to watch from the bench so often this season, but that goal will give him huge confidence, and he will surely start against Leeds.
The 21-year-old could start on the left, with Sturridge central and Mane on the right, although the front-three should be able to interchange with one another.
Possible LFC XI vs. Leeds: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno, Stewart, Grujic, Ejaria, Mane, Sturridge/Woodburn, Origi.
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