Liverpool go from knockout competition to knockout competition as Arne Slot's debut season faces another crucial test following the side's brutal penalty loss to PSG in the Champions League: the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
The Reds suffered injuries: Ibrahima Konate came off with what Slot called fatigue, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted after a blow to his right ankle.
"With Trent, he had to come off. That’s never a good sign," Slot said during his post-match press conference. "And from what I heard from people that saw the images or how he got injured, that didn’t look very good. So I would be surprised if he is available for." Sunday."
Given those changes and the general fatigue of the squad, here's our pick for the Liverpool XI as the Reds look to repeat as Champions.
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Goalkeeper/Defense
Slot has consistently elected to use Caomihin Kelleher in goal for the Carabao Cup, sans the club's first-leg loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the semifinals. The Irishman will likely get a chance to win his third Carabao Cup final, having started in both Liverpool's 2022 and 2024 victories.
Captain Virgil van Dijk is nailed on to start and Konate, assuming he actually was substituted for tiredness, should partner him at centerback.
Jarrell Quansah deputized Alexander-Arnold admirably against PSG and will get another chance on Sunday. Andy Robertson looked off the pace on Tuesday but will get the nod (only just) over Kostas Tsimikas - don't be surprised if the Greek substitute is on midway through the second half...or sooner.
Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai started both against PSG on Tuesday and against Newcastle in the Reds' 2-0 win over the Magpies in February.
Gravenberch played all 120 minutes this week and looked leggy by the end, but Slot's midfield bell cow will not miss a cup final. Neither will Mac Allister.
The always-energetic Szoboszlai has started eight consecutive matches now. With Curtis Jones not in the best form, expect that streak to continue on Sunday.
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Forwards
Mohamed Salah has now gone three straight matches without scoring from open play. Does this mean Slot will bench him? Absolutely not: pencil Salah in on the right wing.
Diogo Jota once again failed to impress through the middle as the Portuguese international hasn't scored since January. A spritely Darwin Nunez deserves the start.
Cody Gakpo missed the past few matches through injury but returned on Tuesday in the 102nd minute, notably before a fit Harvey Elliott. Slot's choice between Gakpo and Luis Diaz is a toss-up, but we'll choose Gakpo over the recently wasteful Diaz.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL STARTING XL: Kelleher; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Quansah; Gravenberch Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo
