Liverpool can move a step closer to defending their Carabao Cup crown and winning their first piece of silverware under Arne Slot when they visit Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
The Reds travel to North London for the first leg of their semi-final beat Spurs 6-3 in the Premier League just three days before Christmas. A similarly convincing win would put them in a commanding position to reach the top competition for the third time in four seasons.
Slott has been lucky with injuries over the festive period, with Joe Gomez the only confirmed absentee for the trip to Tottenham. Liverpool are ready to take advantage of their hapless opponents, who have seen their squad decimated by fitness issues this season.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – Kelleher was the goalkeeper of choice in the Carabao Cup and may retain its starting position in later stages. There aren’t many better substitutes in English football than Liverpool’s No.62.
RB: Conor Bradley – After Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shock at the weekend against Manchester United and continued debate over his future, the right-back could be pushed out of the limelight on Wednesday. Bradley is an excellent backup option just coming back from injury.
CB: Jarell Quansah – Ibrahima Konate also returned against Man Utd, but the Frenchman is unlikely to play in back-to-back games so soon after his return, especially given his fitness record. Quansah could replace, even if he failed to impress under Sloto.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Van Dijk often looked confused by his fellow defenders at the weekend and will want a stronger performance from his team-mates against Spurs. The Dutchman will be tested in the capital by former teammate Dominic Solanke.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson’s form has been patchy this season and he has played a significant number of matches over the festive period. He could be replaced by Tsimikas, who will have his hands full with livewire Brennan Johnson.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – The Dutch midfielder will be tasked with keeping the tireless Dejan Kulusevski quiet, which proved difficult during Liverpool’s win over Spurs in December.
DM: Alexis McAllister – Mac Allister scored an opportunistic header in last month’s six-goal win and has been in strong creative form. He provided three assists in the last three for the Reds, splitting the Man Utd defense with a superb pass as Liverpool equalized at the weekend.
RW: Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian extended his excellent goalscoring record against Man Utd at the weekend and is ready to do the same against Tottenham. He scored 14 and provided four assists in 21 games, including four goals in December.
AM: Curtis Jones – Dominik Szoboszlai, who starred in this fixture at the end of last year, is a doubt to feature due to illness, meaning Jones could be cleared. He wasn’t at his sharpest against Man Utd, but he’ll be ready to unsettle a dysfunctional Spurs defence.
LW: Cody Gakpo – The impressive Dutch striker has scored four goals and provided two assists in his last six appearances, although he was one of the few not to score or assist against Tottenham of late.
ST: Diogo Jota – Jota has not started for the Reds since returning from injury in December, such was the dazzling form of Gakpo and Luis Diaz. However, he could start on Wednesday, with Diaz possibly resting and Darwin Nunez struggling for form.
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