Liverpool starting lineup to face Luton Town – predicted

Liverpool are close to reaching the Carabao Cup final, but first they must face Luton Town at home on Wednesday night.

Given the ongoing injury crisis, Jurgen Klopp might have used a week off to prepare for Sunday’s trip to Wembley Stadium and a chance to win his first trophy of the season. Unfortunately, due to the fixture pile-up, this is not a possibility.

While a home game against one of the Premier League’s bottom three is, on paper, one of the nicer matches Liverpool could have been given, Luton will not roll over and make it easy for the Reds as they try to preserve their lead over Manchester City and avoid any further fitness worries.

The Hatters may have only won one of their last five league games, but they have made significant progress in recent weeks, with Rob Edwards’ side competing with Newcastle and Manchester United while slamming four past Brighton in one of the most surprising results of the season.

Who Klopp wants to pick and who he can pick for this one are likely to be quite different, with rotation currently a necessity rather than a luxury.

With numerous elements to consider, here’s how the Reds might line up at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Caoimhin Kelleher will start the Carabao Cup final regardless, and the Irishman is now ready for another run in the team, with Alisson becoming the latest Liverpool star to suffer a hamstring injury.

Kelleher played well in the Reds’ previous two wins over Brentford and Burnley, but he has only kept one clean sheet in four Premier League appearances in 2023/24.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined for at least the next few games, Conor Bradley should continue at right back.

However, the promising kid, who began his career as a winger, might be an out-of-the-box solution in the future given the injury crisis and his creative abilities, while Joe Gomez is another option at right back.

Virgil van Dijk will most certainly remain in the squad for midweek, but Ibrahima Konate, whose fitness record remains a source of concern, could be rested ahead of Sunday’s final. If that’s the case, Jarell Quansah will likely step in.

Andy Robertson should continue at left back, with Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas available for rotation if necessary.

Liverpool appeared to have options in the centre of the park at the start of the month, thanks to Thiago’s long-awaited return and Wataru Endo’s return from the Asian Cup.

However, Thiago has subsequently suffered a new injury, and Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined the 32-year-old in the treatment room.

Endo will most likely continue at the base of midfield against Luton, where his industry and defensive nous will be needed against the Hatters’ in-form and hardworking duo of Ross Barkley and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Alexis MacAllister may then continue in a more advanced capacity, while Ryan Gravenberch should fill in for Jones.

Youngsters Bobby Clark and James McConnell are also options, though neither is likely to start.