Time to rotate and rest a few of the regulars and give some underused posters a chance to prove their worth.
Would love to see Kelleher, Ramsey, Tsimikas, Arthur and Jones all get starts with a few younger lads like Bradley and Gordon getting minutes off the bench - Especially if we have a solid lead early in the 2nd half, get them as much time as possible.
Is Milner ok for this? Was it a concussion precaution? I’d go with that. Have Hendo and Nunez on the bench and maybe Salah, potentially Konate and Robbo as well.
The rest probably should be fully rested, only putting Salah there as he isn’t going to the World Cup.
Has hardly played, and needs to prove he is worth keeping around post WC. If he doesn’t play Wednesday, then what is the point in keeping him for the rest of the season?
Put Ox centre forward if any of the latter 3 start. Case to be made for including Henderson instead of an academy lad from the start, give him 45 or 60.
I expect a few youngsters on the bench, I don’t expect Klopp to start anyone outside of the first team squad. Be nice if one or two got to sample a few minutes.
Good thing is plenty of squad players could do with minutes anyhow.
Looking at the possible starting XI, you realise how strong our squad has become over the years. Only Bajcetic can be considered as kid. Even Ramsay and Carvalho have considerable competitive experience. Kelleher, Gomez, and Tsimikas will be starters with any PL sides outside the top 6.
Personally I’m concerned about Gomez staying healthy and Quansah is a very takented defender who I think deserves a shot. Gomez and Tsinikaz just too important, even with only 1 gane before the break, to risk (I know Klopp is going to start them but I personally wouldnt).
Stewart has been fantastic this season. Ben Doak from the bench would be electric.
I wasn’t going to bother with the Cup Of Cocoa Cup this year but my DAZN subscription doesn’t run out until the Thursday, so why not?
I definitely want to see serious game time for Kelleher and Ramsey and I suspect that the rest will be a mix of second choice squad players and under 23s.
I’m hoping that Klopp leaves this as a competition for squad players. In fact is he taking charge or will Pep Lijnders be taking the lead on this.