Our Liverpool writers select their teams for tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg showdown at Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool transfer their interest to the defence of the Carabao Cup this night . The Reds head to Premier League competitors Tottenham Hotspur for a semi- very last first-leg showdown.
Newcastle United have already got one foot withinside the very last when they gained their first leg 2- zero at Arsenal ultimate night time . And Liverpool could be hoping to dish out similarly north London ache on a Tottenham crew which might be riddled with the aid of using damage and suspension problemsWhether that lets in Reds boss Arne Slot truely to rotate his squad stays to be seen. While his present day Premier League and Champions League leaders could be warm favourites at hand out a 2d defeat to their warring parties withinside the area of 18 days, Spurs have proved this season they are able to beat the exceptional on their day.So how ought to Slot line-up this nighttime ? Our Liverpool writers have their say…
Paul Gorst
The first of cup video games this week is maximum virtually the most important one, so if Arne Slot goes to make wholesale modifications towards both Tottenham or Accrington Stanley, then I strongly suspect it is going to be Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.
Having navigated a course to the ultimate 4 while not having to apply too a lot of his large guns, Slot is probably tempted to carry numerous of them again this night however I am going to offer Ibrahima Konate the nighttime off given his hard work on Sunday after a five-week absence. Jarell Quansah is available in and there may be a begin for Kostas Tsimikas at left- again , additionally .In midfield, I’m going to offer Harvey Elliott the nod if Dominik Szoboszlai isn’t match enough. Curtis Jones can relaxation up and Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch each begin .Up top, Diogo Jota begins offevolved thru the center and Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah whole the the front 3 and they are able to all relaxation up for Tuesday at Nottingham Forest after a bunch of modifications are made towards Accrington.
My crew (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Gakpo; Jota.
Ian Doyle
The League Cup can be the lesser of the 2 home cup competitions, however when you get to the semi- very last level it is in all likelihood really well worth taking seriously. And that’ll be very a good deal withinside the thoughts of Arne Slot as he considers his crew choice for the primary leg at Tottenham Hotspur this nighttime .
There could be modifications , maximum virtually in purpose in which Caoimhin Kelleher ought to begin . At centre- again , Ibrahima Konate cannot start so Jarell Quansah is available in . After that, though, is interesting. On consideration, skipper Virgil van Dijk ought to additionally be at centre- again , with Trent Alexander-Arnold right- again and Andy Robertson at the left..
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch hasn’t performed in any respect on this opposition and he could have every other relaxation . Wataru Endo can are available in along Alexis Mac Allister with Harvey Elliott working because the quantity 10.
Up top, it is time Diogo Jota were given a begin down the center , and I’d have League Cup professional Cody Gakpo at the left and preserve Mohamed Salah at the right. Everyone of notice may have a relaxation on the weekend, surely.
My crew (4-2-3-1): Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Gakpo; JotaTheo Squires
Arne Slot changed into giving little or no away in phrases of his questioning concerning crew choice for Liverpool’s League Cup semi- very last first leg away at Tottenham Hotspur. But with Joe Gomez – and perhaps the sick Dominik Szoboszlai – the best gamers missing, the Dutchman has masses to play with.
With Accrington Stanley looming withinside the FA Cup on Saturday, wholesale modifications aren’t needed. But the Reds can discipline a pleasing combo of starters and squad gamers as they appearance to transport one step in the direction of achieving successive League Cup finals.
Caoimhin Kelleher returns in purpose , with the opposition very a good deal his event in my eyes having shone in Liverpool’s 2022 and 2024 very last victories. Virgil van Dijk captains the side, with Jarell Quansah partnering him after Slot admitted Ibrahima Konate wasn’t geared up to begin video games in every week after damage .
Trent Alexander-Arnold is taken out of the firing line after suffering towards Manchester United, with it all- alternate at full- again as each Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas begin .In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister maintains his vicinity and is partnered with the aid of using Wataru Endo as Ryan Gravenberch is afforded a night time off. Harvey Elliott begins offevolved beforehand of them at quantity 10.
And in attack, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez can each get possibilities from the begin , with Mohamed Salah finishing the attacking trio.
My crew (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Elliott, Jota; Nunez