Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that his team in the FA Cup third round replay against Exeter City on Wednesday will be similar to the one that drew in Devon.
The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw against the League Two outfit earlier this month and will be looking to progress at Anfield on Wednesday night.
Klopp named a makeshift side for that game, with Tiago Ilori, Kevin Stewart and Ryan Kent all making their Liverpool debuts, and Connor Randall, Brad Smith, Cameron Brannagan, Joao Teixeira and Jerome Sinclair all starting too.
In his pre-match press conference, the 48-year-old German confirmed that there will be few changes to that team, and that he has plenty of faith in his youngsters.
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“It will be a similar team to last time. We will play tomorrow with a team with fresh legs”, said Klopp.
“It is a big chance, we can show the young boys we believe in them.”
There are a few tweaks that Klopp could make, with Mamadou Sakho potentially replacing Jose Enrique at centre-back, and Jordon Ibe possibly adding some quality to the attack.
The out-of favour Christian Benteke appears likely to lead the line once again, with the Belgian badly in need of an impressive performance.
Sheyi Ojo could make his full debut for the club after appearing as sub in the original tie.
Klopp also spoke about injury victims Jon Flanagan and Daniel Sturridge, saying the former is set to make a long-awaited return to the first-team squad against Exeter.
“Jon [Flanagan] is in a really good way and we are happy. He’s training today – if nothing happens he’s on the bench,” he added.
That means Connor Randall will continue at right-back. If Flanagan was to appear from the bench it would be his first appearance since May 2014.
On Sturridge, Klopp explained “There is no chance for Daniel.”
“He had a break from training because of some issues, he’s now back training. He hasn’t trained with the team since Newcastle.”
Goalkeeper Danny Ward and new signing Steven Caulker are not eligible to feature as they weren’t registered before the original tie.
Klopp must therefore decide whether to bring Adam Bogdan back into the side, with the Hungarian dropped from the bench for the last two league games since Ward returned from loan at Aberdeen.
Liverpool’s under-21s are in action on Tuesday night, with players not involved there perhaps being indicative of Klopp’s selection on Wednesday.
Full video and more quotes from Klopp’s pre-match press conference will be online shortly.
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