Liverpool’s marquee summer signing, Federico Chiesa, is expected to make his debut in tomorrow’s Carabao Cup clash against West Ham at Anfield.
With a packed fixture list ahead, Liverpool are set to rotate their squad significantly for the tie. After fielding a fairly settled line-up in their first six matches of the season, manager Arne Slot now faces the need to rest key players ahead of two more games this week.
Slot has confirmed that Chiesa is ready to make his first start, and the Italian winger is likely to be included in the line-up. Alongside Chiesa, the Reds starting eleven could see several youngsters, which may provide The irons with a rare opportunity to capitalise on Liverpool’s tinkered squad.
Lopetegui could do with a win
For West Ham’s head coach, Julen Lopetegui, who is under increasing pressure due to the team’s poor start to the season, this match could be crucial. He may hope to take advantage of Liverpool’s rotated team. However, even a second-string Liverpool side will pose a formidable challenge, featuring some decent players, making it far from an easy task for the Hammers. Slot is likely to select the likes of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota to compliment what is expected to be a young side.
Last season West Ham were humiliated 5-1 against Jurgen Klopp’s rotated side in the same competition.
Liverpool will rotate big time. There is some propensity for the wheels to fall off although I expect that they will have some of their big guns on the bench if that starts to happen. Bad luck in the draw as usual but not the worst of times for it to happen.
No doubt they will have Salah and Co on the bench in case of an emergency though. At least the boy Elliot is missing for this one, injured I think.