On Wednesday, Liverpool play at Anfield for the second time in 5 days as they return to League Cup motion towards West Ham.
Liverpool vs. West Ham
League Cup (Third Spherical) | Anfield
September 25, 2024 | 8pm (BST)
Liverpool begin their League Cup marketing campaign this week as holders of the trophy, coming into the competitors on the third spherical stage.
Through the years, the Reds have excelled on this competitors greater than some other workforce, successful it 10 instances since its inception in 1960.
Whereas Liverpool will make adjustments for this one, Arne Slot will nonetheless wish to progress because it presents the primary alternative to win silverware with the Reds, in addition to an opportunity to present the squad sport time.
1. No Alisson however Chiesa can begin
Slot confirmed Alisson gained’t be match and it “can be tight” whether or not he can play on the weekend, whereas Harvey Elliott, Jayden Danns and James McConnell additionally stay sidelined.
The supervisor did trace at rotation for the match, saying Federico Chiesa is “in a position to begin” and “there can be a good probability” Trey Nyoni makes the squad.
Nonetheless, that can be provided that he doesn’t play for the under-21s towards Harrogate on Tuesday evening, and we are able to assume the identical of Tyler Morton.
These selections can be taken on Tuesday as a number of gamers return after a short break and Slot should “see how match they’re.”
2. Beginning XI prediction
Given the likes of Darwin Nunez and Alexis Mac Allister have been jetting off round Europe since Saturday, it could be considerably of a shock to see them begin at Anfield.
With Ryan Gravenberch having began each sport for membership and nation this season, we are able to count on him to get a relaxation, as ought to Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz.
This leaves Liverpool comparatively gentle in a midfield that may nearly definitely characteristic Curtis Jones and will embody Wataru Endo, who has performed simply two minutes thus far this season for the membership.
If Dominik Szoboszlai additionally drops out, Elliott’s absence means Morton or Nyoni might begin. That’s, in fact, assuming they don’t play on Tuesday evening.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Gomez, Tsimikas; Endo, Morton, Jones; Chiesa, Jota, Gakpo
3. West Ham’s kind
West Ham have simply 4 factors from their opening 5 Premier League matches this season, their solely win coming away at Crystal Palace.
To succeed in the third spherical of the League Cup, Julen Lopetegui’s aspect beat Bournemouth 1-0 due to a moderately fortunate late aim from Jarrod Bowen.
Although they’ve began the season in poor kind, Slot thought that he noticed “superb spells” throughout video games they usually have been “typically a bit unfortunate with the outcomes.”
We might see fairly a robust lineup from the Hammers, together with Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta, as Lopetegui tries to play his workforce into kind.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski, ought to exchange Alphonse Areola, whereas Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio might additionally begin after coming off the bench of their 3-0 house defeat to Chelsea on the weekend.
4. A take a look at the numbers
Liverpool have gained every of the final eight at house to West Ham in all competitions. The membership file is 9, set from 1967 to 1973.
The Reds have scored no less than twice in 14 of the final 17 house and away encounters in league and cup.
Joe Gomez might play the 250th sport of his membership profession in all competitions. Caoimhin Kelleher and he are essentially the most seasoned present League Cup gamers at Liverpool, every with 15 appearances.
Just one Liverpool supervisor has misplaced his first League Cup sport in cost. That was Roy Hodgson, who suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Northampton at Anfield in September 2010, following a 2-2 draw.
5. Alisson “tight” for the weekend, too
As talked about, Alisson gained’t be concerned at Anfield on Wednesday and will additionally miss the league sport towards Wolves on the weekend.
Slot defined the membership’s present goalkeeping predicament, saying: “Alisson is getting there, however I believe this sport is coming only a bit too early.
“We’re wanting on the weekend towards Wolves, however it’s going to be tight, so let’s see if he manages to be there.
“However he is not going to be there tomorrow, so Caoimh can be in aim tomorrow. That’s the one factor I do know for positive at this second.”
6. Who’s left within the competitors?
That is the state of AFC Wimbledon’s pitch after in a single day flooding. ?
Storms have swept throughout the UK over the previous 24 hours, with The Cherry Purple Data Stadium hit notably arduous. pic.twitter.com/UAxlsaeZ9W
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 23, 2024
As a result of Liverpool are in European competitors, they enter on the third spherical, whereas the remainder of the Premier League take part spherical two.
Everton, unsurprisingly, are already out, having misplaced on penalties to Southampton at Goodison Park. Wolves and Fulham have been the one different top-flight sides to be knocked out within the second spherical.
Wednesday evening’s solely different fixture is between Arsenal and Bolton. Newcastle have been alleged to journey to Wimbledon however the match has been switched to St James Park on October 1, as a consequence of flooding inflicting a large sinkhole to open at Plough Lane.
7. It’s nonetheless the Carabao Cup
Whereas we have a tendency to simply seek advice from it because the League Cup, this competitors is uncommon in that it adjustments its identify with its present sponsor.
In the intervening time, we’re within the Carabao Cup period however relying in your age, you may instinctively name the trophy one other identify, such because the Milk Cup or Carling Cup.
Liverpool have gained it below seven completely different names for the reason that competitors first had its identify sponsored for the 1981/82 season.
8. No VAR
As a result of there being a number of decrease league groups nonetheless concerned at this stage, there can be no video assistant referee for this match – this may stay the case till the semi-finals.
For a lot of, together with those that can’t learn the writing on Anfield’s small scoreboard, the dearth of VAR is a aid for the odd sport.
With out it, you out of the blue really feel very liberated when the workforce rating as when you’ve checked for the flag, you realize there’s a sure end result of aim or no aim.
9. Who’s the referee?
Andrew Madley is the referee for this one and Liverpool have file with him in cost.
The Reds have misplaced one in every of their 15 video games that he has refereed however that was their final encounter, April’s 2-0 Merseyside Derby defeat at Goodison Park.
The assistant referees can be acquainted faces in James Mainwaring and Paul Hodskinson, whereas Leigh Doughty will act because the fourth official within the League Cup for the fifth time in his profession.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. West Ham is reside on Sky Sports activities Soccer with kickoff at 8pm (BST).
TIA’s matchday reside weblog can be up and operating from 7.15pm, with Harry McMullen tasked with preserving you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
