Carabao Cup - Liv v Ful - Wed 8pm - Sky

[BigChief]

So at Anfield first leg. Then it's a winter break. Followed by 2nd leg, then Chelsea home 7 days later and Arsenal away 4 days after that.

Do we rest players in the first leg to avoid soft muscle issues? My team:

Kelleher
Bradley Konate VvD Gomez
Elliot Mac Gravenberch
Diaz Gakpo Nunez

Risky without TAA's passing and Jones' energy but got to hope Fulham are tiring at this stage too. They have Chelsea in the league on Sat 13 Jan at 12.30pm. Horrible timing for them.

[Irishnev]

So at Anfield first leg. Then it's a winter break. Followed by 2nd leg, then Chelsea home 7 days later and Arsenal away 4 days after that.

Do we rest players in the first leg to avoid soft muscle issues? My team:

Kelleher
Bradley Konate VvD Gomez
Elliot Mac Gravenberch
Diaz Gakpo Nunez

Risky without TAA's passing and Jones' energy but got to hope Fulham are tiring at this stage too. They have Chelsea in the league on Sat 13 Jan at 12.30pm. Horrible timing for them.

Strongest team possible with Kelleher starting for Ali IMO

[RedReet]

I'd actually rest players and hope we get the job done. If it doesn't go to plan, we can sub big guns on and ultimately go full strength next leg if necessary.

Don't think Klopp will look at it like that though.

[dom9]

Not a lot of point in resting players if they have a week off ahead imo.

[Buzzo]

Yep try and end the game first leg imo.

[RedReet]

Not a lot of point in resting players if they have a week off ahead imo.

Good experience for fringe players and an extended break for anyone who might need it.

I accept that I'm of the opinion that our U-10's would beat Fulham (despite all recent games between us being tight and them having a decent manager), which is not realistic.

But that's how I'd approach it. I definitely wouldn't risk Gomez or Konate, regardless of upcoming rest. I'd play Kelleher (and so will Klopp). I'd definitely start Grav and would give Gakpo another start.

[dom9]

Fulham won't be a pushover.

I reckon they will go for this in a big way. It's a huge opportunity for them, and they're not in a relegation battle so why not give it their best shot?

[BigChief]

Fulham won't be a pushover.

I reckon they will go for this in a big way. It's a huge opportunity for them, and they're not in a relegation battle so why not give it their best shot?

If they go extra strong on Wed then they will have to go extra light against Chelsea. No way the same players will be available two days later against Chelsea after a high intensity encounter with us.

Chelsea with Nkunku, Madueke and Broja back will absolutely thrash them, regardless of relegation. It's a choice they have to make.

[RedReet]

Fulham won't be a pushover.

I reckon they will go for this in a big way. It's a huge opportunity for them, and they're not in a relegation battle so why not give it their best shot?

They won't be. They beat Arsenal recently, were unlucky against us, then had 10-0 aggregate score next two games. It would be a calculated gamble.

But even if Klopp wanted to go full strength, I think he'll be forced into changes. As I said, Gomez and Konate too big a risk and I can't see both starting, preferably neither. If we plan on using Beck now we've brought him back, I'd rather trial him when the risk is relatively low. Our strongest midfield isn't available and Mac may not be ready for another start, so we've no choice but to rotate there. Similarly, the front 3 could be any of Diaz, Jota, Gakpo, Nunez or Elliot.

Our strongest 11 is open to interpretation right now, so I'd go for the fittest 11. The only real drop in quality would be in defence, but that's the area we need to protect the most, so again it's worth the gamble for me.

[Craig_H]

Strongest possible team.

We have 11 days until Bournemouth after this. If we can give ourselves a strong first leg lead, it can make the second leg redundant.

[Exiled_red]

It's a semi final against a PL side, it's the home leg (with away leg to follow) I would expect us to put something close to our strongest team out

[RedReet]

So for everyone calling for strongest team, would you play Gomez and Konate?

[dom9]

So for everyone calling for strongest team, would you play Gomez and Konate?

Strongish team for me.

VvD and Quansah at CB. Not sure about full backs.

[Exiled_red]

So for everyone calling for strongest team, would you play Gomez and Konate?

VVD was out with an illness, what are the prospects of him being back, I could see either him playing 90 or both him and Konate playing 45 each. Gomez I'm not sure about, I said I could see us going close to full strength so could maybe see Beck, Chambers or Scanlon, being one of 2 possible changes from strongest 11 - the other being Kelleher depending on what promises have been made to him about game time

[Doc_Piptorious]

Semi final of a cup and at home.

Go strong and try to put us in a position to be able to rest players for the second leg.