The starting lineup for Liverpool vs Fulham in the Carabao Cup 2023–2024: The Semi-Final First Leg and How to Watch It…
Liverpool faces Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals at Anfield on Wednesday night
Liverpool battles Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday night at Anfield. The Reds have 10 players sidelined with injuries or unavailable due to international duties.
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold added to the injury woes after assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders confirmed the knee injury. The 24-year-old would be out for a “few weeks” after sustaining the injury in the FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
The Reds are already without Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah throughout the Carabao Cup semi-final ties. Endo is representing Japan in the Asian Cup and Salah is representing Egypt in the AFCON tournament, at the moment.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp still faces selection headaches in a few areas while certain positions have limited options.
The Kop Times Predicted starting XI is as follows:
Caoimhin Kelleher
Lijnders confirmed to Liverpoolfc.com that Caoimhin Kelleher will start against Fulham. The 25-year-old is the first-choice goalkeeper over the Reds’ number one, Allison, in the Carabao Cup competition.
Conor Bradley
Trent’s unfortunate injury is a big loss in the creative aspect as he is the best playmaker for the Reds. However, Conor Bradley’s promising cameo against Arsenal in the FA Cup win guarantees him a starting berth against Fulham. The 20-year-old is a sure starter in an injury-ridden defence and he has the opportunity to prove his immense talent.
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate delivered a match-winning performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round and showed his leadership skills. The Frenchman shouted orders to his teammates to keep the defence organized as the Reds kept a clean sheet. Klopp has managed game-time for Konate this season to keep him injury-free and to prolong his availability. There is an 11-day gap after the Carabao Cup tie which might allow Klopp to start Konate over Jarell Quansah.
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk missed the FA Cup clash against Arsenal due to illness. The confirmation includes the Dutchman’s presence in the Reds’ squad for the Fulham clash, and he will likely start. Van Dijk’s leadership is essential to get a positive result in the home leg before Liverpool travels to Craven Cottage.
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez should continue as the make-shift left-back in the absence of injured Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. The 26-year-old has delivered impressive performances and showed his versatility, keeping Bakuyo Saka in his pocket when Liverpool played Arsenal.
Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool lacks a number six with Endo and Trent unavailable, leaving Alexis Mac Allister as the sure starter. The Argentine recently returned from an injury setback but he remains the sure starter under Klopp.
Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones has grown into his role as an important central midfielder in Liverpool with his consistent performances. The 22-year-old is an essential starter right now, growing into the role that Gini Wijnaldum played in Klopp’s “Liverpool 1.0”.
Ryan Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch produced a good cameo performance against Arsenal in the FA Cup during the latter stage when Liverpool dominated. The 21-year-old has shown glimpses of what he brings to the table, expected to start with Dominik Szoboszlai out injured.
Harvey Elliott
Klopp’s biggest selection headache is the attacking lineup despite the absence of Salah. Harvey Elliott can get a nod over Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, capable of playing at the right flank. The 20-year-old has played as the deputy to Salah this season and brings more balance to the formation. Elliott’s work ethic will assist Bradley in adapting to starting for the Reds in Trent’s absence, aiding his acclimation to the team’s starting lineup.
Diogo Jota
After Diogo Jota’s substitution in the second half of the FA Cup clash, he troubled Arsenal. He beat the media’s favourite defender William Saliba in an aerial duel to hit the crossbar. The Portuguese assisted Diaz during the extra time to secure the victory for the Reds. Jota is the most clinical finisher in the team during the absence of Salah and he should start this game.
Luis Diaz
On-form Diaz needs to build upon his return to top-form since 2024 began, putting behind all the unfortunate setbacks. The Colombian faced a dreadful 2023 since returning from his long-term knee injury, showing his old form in recent games.
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Klopp could start Darwin Nunez and Gakpo ahead of any of the front three, depending on the tactics he opts for. The loss of Trent is a major factor going into the Carabao Cup tie but given the quality of the squad, Liverpool needs to secure an advantage in the first leg.
The Kop Times predicted lineup is – Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Elliott, Jota, Diaz.
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Liverpool owners FSG are set to make an enormous push in the transfer market.
Over the years, John Henry and co have been seen as one of the more frugal ownerships in the Premier League. Liverpool fans would certainly like them to be a little more free-spending at times.
And now, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, those supporters could be about to get their wish. They claim that the Reds – and FSG in particular – are going to ‘do their best’ to convince PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe that a move to Anfield is his best bet.
Liverpool have been heavily linked with Mbappe once again over recent weeks. And Mundo Deportivo reckon that the Reds will try to lure the 25-year-old with the promise of being the main man on Merseyside.
Although Mbappe is said to have always wanted to play for Real Madrid, the presence of stars like Vinicius Jnr, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo is reportedly putting him off the Bernabeu slightly.
As a result, Liverpool are claimed to be ready to give the Frenchman the ‘king’s throne’ in order to turn his head. With Mohamed Salah’s future up in the air, the Reds are said to be happy to install Mbappe as their main man. FSG are reportedly convinced that he can become ‘an idol and icon’ at Anfield.
FSG readying Mbappe push
There will be some who will scoff at these kinds of claims. Mbappe to Liverpool has never truly felt like a realistic possibility.
One of the reasons for that is because the Reds owners do not have a history of sanctioning such moves. In fact, they have a decent track record of going out of their way to actively avoid them.
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Nevertheless, FSG can also pull a surprise or two from the bag. Take Liverpool’s massive, shock effort to steal Moises Caicedo from Chelsea’s grasp in August.
Nobody would ever have seen the Reds’ owners spending over £100m on a single player, and yet they signed off on the deal.
Consequently, perhaps Henry is just getting the itch to do something a little bit bigger than usual for his club. If that is the case, then it doesn’t get much bigger than Mbappe. Liverpool’s very own Virgil van Dijk called the France international ‘world-class’ back in March [Sky Sports News]. He’s a phenomenon.
Given his reputation, the parameters of the deal would be difficult for Liverpool to do, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Why should it?
Regardless of that though, if it’s a straight question of Salah staying or Mbappe joining, most fans would still pick their Egyptian King signing up for more years. Maybe, just maybe FSG will go big and have them both at the same time, though.
Just imagine, Mbappe on one wing, Salah on the other. No one would criticise the Americans in charge of the purse-strings ever again.
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For years Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville competed against one another in a fierce rivalry. Manchester United vs Liverpool from those years doesn’t always bring back fond memories for the Liverpool captain – but there are a few highlights sprinkled in there.
From the camera kiss at Old Trafford in a 4-1 rout, to a stunning goal in the final of the League Cup back in 2003.
On the whole, though, it has to be said unfortunately, it was Gary Neville who kept most of the spoils during that extremely successful era for Manchester United.
But even though at the time Manchester United were stacked with talent, it seems like the club still yearned for more. Including for Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard to Manchester United?
Speaking on the Sky Sports’ Stick to Football Podcast Neville revealed that at one point Sir Alex Ferguson was thinking about bringing Gerrard to Old Trafford, and he asked him to speak to the Liverpool midfielder about it.
“I have just remembered when Sir Alex asked me.. when I went into his [Steven Gerrard’s] room with England and asked him to sign for United,” Neville said.
“I felt as though it was a bit of a hopeless [case]. What would it have been 2004? He was close to going to Chelsea and Sir Alex rang me and said he’s anxious, I think his words were tell him I’ll fetch him and take him back down the East Lancs and bring him back.”
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Neville then decided to broach the subject but he received a pretty emphatic response.
“I went to see Stevie and he was quite categoric quite quickly! He said ‘seriously I wouldn’t get out of Liverpool and my family would never get out of Liverpool.’ Those were his exact words to me.”
2004 was a dark time for Liverpool fans and Steven Gerrard, but it’s clear the Reds’ captain always maintained his passion for the club and in the end that loyalty bound him to Anfield no matter what.
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Liverpool have been told that a potential midfield signing is better than Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a move to bring Fluminense’s Andre Trindade to Anfield ever since last summer. However, with the Brazilian side turning down a proposal ahead of the season, Andre stayed put.
As the January transfer window swings into action, the rumours have since continued that the 22-year-old is Liverpool-bound. But with other sides also in the picture now, the Reds interest appears to have cooled.
According to South American football expert Tim Vickery, this could be a mistake on Liverpool’s part. Speaking to Sky Sports Transfer Centre Live yesterday, Vickery expressed his astonishment that Andre is still playing in Brazil.
“It’s amazing to me that Andre is still playing for Fluminense in Brazil,” said the journalist. “Think of the Brazilian central midfielders doing well in the Premier League: Douglas Luiz, Joao Gomes, Danilo, Bruno Guimaraes – Andre might just be the best of the bunch.
“He reminds me a little bit of a young Javier Mascherano, who was so good for Argentina, for Liverpool and for Barcelona. He’s fierce in the tackle, covers a lot of space and, also, he plays for a side that play out from the back, so he really has to receive the ball in pressure situations. It’s a real surprise to me that he’s still in Brazil and that he’s not attracting interest from the very biggest clubs.”
Vickery amazed by Andre non-transfer
Just prior to the window opening, it had looked likely that Andre would indeed be on his way to the Premier League and to Fulham.
With Joao Palhinha now looking likely to stay at Craven Cottage though, the West Londoners interest seems to have gone the way of Liverpool’s.
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That will be incredibly frustrating for Andre, who saw a dream move to Anfield blocked by his club over the summer.
In hindsight, that ended up being good for everyone. Fluminense kept their star man who led them to a first ever Copa Libertadores glory, while Andre himself got to experience that success as an academy graduate and symbol of the team. He’s now immortal at Flu.
Nevertheless, if the Brazil international now struggles to get his move before the January window closes, the Liverpool non-transfer might start to be looked back on with some regret.
The Reds too, should be looking back a little wistfully. If Andre is as good as Vickery says he is, then they’ve really dropped the ball here.
Of course, there’s still time to rectify things and return for the Mascherano-esque midfielder. But it really does feel like the ship has now sailed from a Liverpool point of view.
Should no one else come in for Andre, then we think the Reds should seriously reconsider their plan here. They’re still in need of a long-term defensive midfielder and the Brazilian could be that man. Liverpool ended up kicking themselves for not going in for Bruno while he was available. They shouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
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Liverpool were dealt another injury blow yesterday with news of a knee issue for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With Trent joining the masses of Reds players unavailable for tonight’s Carabao Cup game with Fulham, young Conor Bradley looks set to step in.
Beyond that, it isn’t actually the most packed fixture list for Liverpool. Following the match at Anfield this evening the Reds have 11 days off. And according to The Athletic, this could mean that Alexander-Arnold misses just four fixtures.
They claim that scans have revealed the damage to the 25-year-old’s knee to be worth around three weeks recovery.
That would rule Trent out of both legs against Fulham, the Premier League tip to Bournemouth on January 21st and the FA Cup fourth round tie on the 27th.
It’s claimed that Liverpool are then hoping that their No.66 will be back for the match-up with Chelsea on January 31st.
Trent aiming for Chelsea return
If Liverpool could have Alexander-Arnold back to face Chelsea, it would be seen as a real boost.
Not just for the game against the Blues itself, but for what lies ahead beyond that, too.
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Once Chelsea have been ticked off at Anfield, the Reds then head to the Emirates once again for a big clash with Arsenal.
As we saw at the weekend, Alexander-Arnold will be crucial to anything Liverpool can get from that game against their title rivals.
They won in North London without key men Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk on Sunday, that’s true. But you feel that with Salah still potentially missing, Trent would be a huge loss for that one.
As a result, this news today is of course positive. But with knee injuries, you never quite know.
Should Alexander-Arnold’s issue start to run into a month and more, then Liverpool may start to worry. They can cope without him for a short while, but on top of the other problems they have, they’re now stretched all over the pitch.
The regular right-back’s absence is clearly a huge opportunity for Bradley. But the Reds can’t lean on him too heavily, he is only 20 and inexperienced at this level after all. Rest up and get well soon, Trent.
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Trent Alexander-Arnol’s injury hasn’t come at the best of times for Liverpool. With Mohamed Salah away at the African Cup of Nations and Dominik Szoboszlai also injured, the Reds are about to lose a lot of creativity in the side.
But there’s also the headache of Klopp not having a direct replacement. Joe Gomez would be an obvious choice, but he’s going to be occupied covering for the injured Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas.
This means there is now one natural solution in Klopp’s squad who can come in and provide cover in Alexander-Arnold’s absence.
Lijnders’ verdict on Conor Bradley
Speaking in his press conference today as per the club’s official YouTube channel, Pep Lijnders was full of praise for Conor Bradley.
The youngster shone against Arsenal at the weekend, and Lijnders was left impressed by the way he handled the challenge of coming up against Gabriel Martineli.
“Bradley comes in, Martineli comes in, fresh, and he’s took on Conor one vs one constantly,” Lijnders said. And Conor maybe the first one not, the big diagonal he couldn’t clear but after that he reads he learns and he can clear two or three one vs ones against Martineli.
“The first one he gets outplayed, but the second one he learned and he closed the outside better.”
With Alexander-Arnold’s injury set to rule him out for at least three weeks the stage is now set for Bradley to build on that promise. He’s long been regarded as top prospect at the academy and this is now a golden opportunity for the 20-year-old make his mark in the first team.
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