Liverpool may make six changes against Fulham as left-back returns

Liverpool take on Fulham in the League Cup and Jurgen Klopp faces a string of qualifiers.

Liverpool defeated Arsenal to win the round of 32 of the FA Cup.

A Jakub Kivior own goal and a Luis Diaz strike later proved the difference as the Reds won 2-0 to claim their first league title for the Gunners in 60 years. Liverpool will now turn their attention to the League Cup and the first leg of their semi-final at home to Fulham on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at the changes Jurgen Klopp’s side could make as they take the next step. Klopp was a strong substitute in the League Cup opener but took charge in beating West Ham United in the quarter-finals before Christmas. The long list of unavailable players means there is little chance of the Liverpool manager doing anything differently against Fulham. One change was League Cup specialist Caoimhin Kelleher, who replaced Alisson Becker in goal.

The centre-back’s situation will depend on whether Virgil van Dijk overcomes the illness that forced him to miss the game against Arsenal. Jarell Quanza is back on the bench again alongside Ibrahim Konate, but Joe Gomez could leave for the season alongside Joel Matip.

Nate Phillips is also back in training after returning from his loan spell at Celtic. However, this will be affected by Gomez continuing to play at left-back with Owen Beck, who has returned from his loan spell with Dundee in the Scottish Premiership, now available after a historic one-match ban.

Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are injured, while youngster Luke Chambers sits on the Emirates bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold is first choice at right-back and Conor Bradley’s performance at the weekend showed Alexander-Arnold would be keen to start in midfield if needed.

jones question

Alexis McAllister returns to Arsenal’s No.6 role, with Wataru Endo becoming the only defensive midfielder to play for his country. Curtis Jones and Alexander-Arnold have featured at times against Arsenal and their substitutes, while teenager James McConnell sits on the bench.

Jones has started in left midfield ahead of Ryan Gravenburch in recent games, while Cody Gakpo was left out of attack last weekend and only filled in on the right, allowing Harvey Elliott to switch to his usual engine on the right wing . the room. role. Teenager Bobby Clarke came off the bench at the Emirates and 16-year-old Trey Nioni was one of the substitutes. Dominik Soboslay, Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Baicetic are on the pitch.

Klopp demonstrated during the 90 minutes at Arsenal there are several ways to adapt to life without Mohammed Salah , with more success than others. All four senior forwards – Gakpo, Diaz, Darwin Nunes and Diogo Jota – can play on the left wing, while all but Diaz have started on the right. The Colombian impressed in the second half on Sunday when Jota moved to the right. Although Jota has played in this position before. Elliott is another option, along with youngster Kaide Gordon.