Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to start his game for Liverpool as the Reds take on Leicester City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
Liverpool will kick off their campaign to win a record-extending ninth League Cup title on Tuesday when they travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City in the third round. As the Reds look to get back to winning ways, here’s the all-important team news for the visiting side.
Jurgen Klopp does not have any fresh injury concerns to deal with ahead of the third round meeting with Leicester. Adam Lallana (thigh), Nathaniel Clyne (back) and Adam Bogdan (cruciate ligament) remain the long-term absentees, while Sadio Mane serves the penultimate of his three-match ban.
Klopp: “[This game] is a fantastic opportunity for Alex. He had a wonderful impact in the last game.” pic.twitter.com/UncBvM2YhU
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2017
The Liverpool boss, though, provided positive updates on Lallana and Clyne during his pre-match press conference. “Clyney had the third or fourth run outside yesterday, not the highest intensity but a big step and he coped well so far with this,” he said.
“Adam is close to going outside and running. For the next step, I’ll give you another update in the next press conference!”
Meanwhile, Klopp has confirmed three of his starters for Tuesday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to make his first start for the Reds following his deadline day move from Arsenal. The Englishman will be joined by Danny Ward and Marko Grujic in the starting lineup on Tuesday.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for Alex. Since he’s been here it’s been difficult to train on different things because it’s game after game after game,” Klopp said on Oxlade-Chamberlain before adding that Ward and Grujic will get the same opportunity on Tuesday.
“Danny Ward will play tomorrow if nothing happens overnight. We have a lot of players who are actually in good shape but haven’t had match starts so far. For instance Marko Grujic made a big step in his development but no-one can see it yet, so it’s really good to give him the opportunity.”
Jürgen Klopp: “Danny Ward will play tomorrow if nothing happens overnight.” pic.twitter.com/JcUbyVhBp2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2017
The likes of Dominic Solanke, Jon Flanagan, Ben Woodburn and Danny Ings are also in contention to feature on the night, although Klopp chose to focus on Flanagan, in particular, during his press conference.
“We have to see how I make the squad but of course it would make sense that Flanno is at least in the squad for tomorrow,” he said before adding, “Playing from the beginning? He didn’t have a lot of match time so far, so we will see what we do – it depends on a few other things. We have a few little things.”
Meanwhile, Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare is set to be without four key first-team players on Tuesday, with Jamie Vardy (groin), Matty James (Achilles), Christian Fuchs (eye) and Robert Huth (ankle) all sidelined. But, academy youngsters Josh Knight and Hamza Choudhury have been included in his matchday squad.
