Jurgen Klopp is set to hand at least two Liverpool youngsters their full debut as he names a much-changed side to face Arsenal in the League Cup.
The Reds host the Gunners in the fourth round tonight, looking to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2016.
After a mix of youth and experience overcame League One side MK Dons in the third round, Klopp is poised to take a similar approach despite a step up in opposition.
This should include starts for both Sepp van den Berg and Neco Williams, with the teenagers joining Joe Gomez and, likely, James Milner in defence.
Van den Berg came off the bench for his competitive debut at Stadium MK, with this his only competitive first-team involvement since joining from PEC Zwolle in the summer.
But with Joel Matip sidelined, and Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren rested ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa, Goal’s Neil Jones has confirmed he is set for his full debut.
Meanwhile Williams has trained regularly with the senior squad this month, and has “impressed staff since being called up.”
The 18-year-old will start at right-back, where he has largely operated in his 14 appearances at academy level so far this season—in which he has scored two goals and laid on three assists.
Caoimhin Kelleher is in line for his second start after Pepijn Lijnders revealed “it is his competition,” while Jones adds that Adam Lallana, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Divock Origi should also line up.
This suggests a back line of Williams, Gomez, Van den Berg and Milner, with Lallana in the No. 6 role behind Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita in midfield, and Origi joining Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster in attack.
Origi’s involvement could see Curtis Jones demoted to the bench despite his man-of-the-match display against MK Dons.
The Scouser could sit alongside fellow youngsters Billy Koumetio, Morgan Boyes, Yasser Larouci, Leighton Clarkson and Luis Longstaff, though the more experienced Pedro Chirivella and Herbie Kane are also available.
One of Adrian or Andy Lonergan will warm the bench, too, with Alisson given the night off.
Probable Liverpool XI vs. Arsenal: Kelleher; Williams, Gomez, Van den Berg, Milner; Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita; Elliott, Origi, Brewster
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