Flanagan And Smith To Start: Likely Liverpool XI To Face Stoke City In The League Cup Semi-final

Midfielders – Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Joe Allen, James Milner, Adam Lallana

Emre Can  and Henderson had a mixed game against Norwich on Saturday. Both the midfielders did not look at their best but as the game went on, they settled down and Henderson’s moment of brilliance helped Liverpool get back into the game.

Liverpool will need Henderson’s captaincy against Stoke. Joe Allen is in a good form now and we expect him to replace Lucas Leiva. Allen is a working midfielder who can defend quiet well and also create chances. He scored two goals recently against Arsenal and Exeter and those goals will be a huge confidence booster for him. James Milner scored and also assisted one against Norwich and he is slowly settling at Liverpool. Liverpool will need Milner’s experience and leadership to hold their advantage against Stoke.

Adam Lallana was the hero for Liverpool against the Canaries on Saturday. He had suffered a slight injury prior to the game but was named on the bench. Lallana came on as a second half substitute for Liverpool to set up Firmino’s second goal and scored himself in the 96th minute of the game which proved to be the winner. This is a very working midfield and will help Liverpool to be solid throughout the game.

Striker – Roberto Firmino

Firmino has scored five and assisted four in the six games he has played as the striker for Liverpool. Moreover, Klopp himself said that Firmino can be a permanent striker for Liverpool and he has the abilities for that. Liverpool have been able to create and score with Firmino upfront and Klopp won’t be thinking of changing it. We can expect Christian Benteke to come on as an impact sub if needed.