Will Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp trust his academy stars for the FA Cup clash vs Southampton
Coming into the game on back of a Carabao Cup win, Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool will now host Southampton at Anfield in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.
Virgil van Dijk scored a heading winner deep into extra time to give Liverpool their first taste of silverware in the current campaign. However success in the Carabao Cup came with a price. Dutch summer signing Ryan Gravenberch left the Wembley pitch on a stretcher and was seen walking along following the game in protective boots. Wataru Endo is also an injury concern, leaving the stadium in crutches.
This only adds to the long injury list that Liverpool have with 11 senior players making it to the sidelines. Jurgen Klopp will have to dip into his academy talent yet again when they face Southampton.
How can Liverpool lineup against Southampton
Caoimhin Kelleher
The 25-year-old is a no-brainer with Alisson Becker injured. Kelleher has been featuring as the first choice for a while now with the Brazilian nursing a muscle injury. He made some wonderful saves against Chelsea at the weekend, and will look to continue his fine form against Southampton.
Bobby Clark
The 2005 born academy midfielder may end up playing in the right back role. The inverted role can suit his attributes and Liverpool in possession. Clark in the right-back role will access Liverpool to play a more offensive game and iron out their injury concerns in the attack.
Joe Gomez
Gomez has been inching to find a way into the first team now. He should get his chance to impress against Southampton. He is not only physical but his ability on the ball has improved significantly this season.
Jarell Quansah
With Virgil van Dijk playing 120 minutes at the weekend. Jarell Quansah should get the nod in the left centre-back role. This is an inexperienced defence but Klopp would keep one eye on the weekend fixture as well especially considering Liverpool’s injury problems.
Konstantinos Tsimikas
Both of Liverpool’s left back just came back from injuries. Andy Robertson has been playing for a while now and he should be given a much needed rest while the Greek international will get a run-in tomorrow.
Alexis Mac Allister
The Argentine World Cup winner at the base of the midfield has been impressive. Mac Allister can not only dribble out of the press but also play passes in-between the lines to get the upper hand from midfield. He would not have license to roam around offensively with Endo out of the team.
Harvey Elliott
The 20-year-old is getting better with setting the play and understanding the sequences from the pockets and half-spaces. He will be an integral figure to create attacks from the middle in a number 8 role tomorrow.
Trey Nyoni
Another youngster straight out of academy. This might be a long shot but the 16-year-old may be given a nod in the midfield. His technical ability and control with the ball may come in handy in a depleted squad.
Conor Bradley
Having played in the right-wing against Chelsea following Ryan Gravenberch’s injury, he can start against Southampton in attack. The 20-year-old started his career on the right-wing so you cannot rule his involvement in the forward line out of equaiton.
Jayden Danns
He came on against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup finals and he may get the nod upfront with Darwin Nunez injured. He has been at the Liverpool academy since he was eight and he can start for Liverpool upfront at 18 years of age. He has been on fire for the academy side and Klopp would love if he were to replicate his form against Southampton tomorrow.
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Cody Gakpo
With Luis Diaz playing his quota of 120 minutes, there are possibilities that Klopp will be careful with him and give the Colombian international a breather. With lack of options the Dutch striker can slot on the left flank to accommodate Danns upfront.
