Jurgen Klopp is rotating the side tomorrow night against Leicester, with Liverpool travelling to the King Power Stadium for the second round of the League Cup – hideously now dubbed The Carabao Cup…
We assumed he would be anyway, based on his team selections in the domestic cup competitions since he joined the club, but during today’s pre-match press-conference, he confirmed as much.
“I’m not sure the world is ready for such a crazy decision, a third goalkeeper in one season! Danny Ward will play tomorrow!” he began, cited in the Echo.
“We have a lot of players who are in good shape but did not have the match time so far. For example Grujic made a big step in development…
“It is difficult to train because of the games but it is a long-term project.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity now for Alex. He had an impact when he came on, now you have three of the line up!”
Ward needs game-time, especially considering we barred him from spending the season on loan at Huddersfield, so we’re glad to see him for the first time this campaign…
Grujic has not enjoyed nearly the minutes his talent warrants since joining from Red Star Belgrade, but he’ll need to impress with the plethora of central midfield talent at Klopp’s disposal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain similarly needs to shine, having been used only as a sub in his first three matches for us, struggling in all of them.
Elsewhere, we expect Ben Woodburn to get a start, while Daniel Sturridge needs picking too.