Caoimhin Kelleher, Rhian Brewster, Ki Jana Hoever and Curtis Jones are set to start for Liverpool tonight in their Carabao Cup opener against MK Dons.
It was unlikely Jurgen Klopp would risk playing his full first team in such an early stage of a competition he’s previously shown little want to win.
Since picking up an injury, Adrian has stepped in for Alisson between the sticks, but some Reds had thought Kelleher was a more natural option, with Kamil Grabara out on loan.
The young Irishman will get his opportunity to shine tonight, as Pep Lijnders explained. “He’s ready for it for sure. There’s a calmness about him and he’s a talented goalkeeper,” he told The Athletic reporter James Pearce.
As well as Kelleher, Liverpool fans can expect to see a few of the club’s other starlets in Brewster, Hoever and Jones. “[Brewster] has goals in him, he has technique, is good physically, he is a complete striker, and a typical number nine,” he is quoted as saying by the Mirror.
Naby Keita looks set to make his comeback to the first team, through the way of an appearance in the League Cup tonight, and is likely to start in midfield with Jones, James Milner, Adam Lallana and/or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Xherdan Shaqiri has unfortunately been ruled out though an injury he picked up in training.