Liverpool can move one step closer to defending their Carabao Cup title and winning their first title under Arne Slot when they visit Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.
The Reds travel to north London for the first leg of their semi-final after beating Spurs 6-3 in the Premier League just three days before Christmas. A similarly emphatic victory would put them in a commanding position to reach the showpiece tournament for the third time in four seasons.
Slot was lucky with injuries over the festive period, with Joe Gomez his only confirmed absence for the trip to Tottenham. Liverpool are prepared to take advantage of their hapless opponents, whose squad has been decimated by fitness issues this season.
This is how Liverpool could play at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
TW: Caoimhin Kelleher – Kelleher was the goalkeeper of choice in the Carabao Cup and could retain his starting place in the finals. There aren’t many better stand-ins in English football than Liverpool’s No.62.
RB: Conor Bradley – Following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shock performance against Manchester United at the weekend and ongoing discussions about his future, the right-back could be removed from the spotlight on Wednesday. Bradley is an excellent backup option as he has just returned from injury.
CB: Jarell Quansah – Ibrahima Konate also made his comeback against Man Utd, but the Frenchman is unlikely to feature in back-to-back games so soon after his return, especially given his fitness record. Quansah could step in, even if he wasn’t able to impress in the slot.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Van Dijk often looked bemused by his fellow defenders at the weekend and will be hoping for a stronger performance from his teammates against Spurs. The Dutchman will be tested in the capital by his former teammate Dominic Solanke.
LB: Kostas Tsimikas – Andy Robertson’s form has been patchy this season and he has played a significant number of games over the festive period. He could be replaced by Tsimikas, who will have his hands full with Brennan Johnson.
DM: Ryan Gravenberch – The Dutch midfielder’s job will be to keep the tireless Dejan Kulusevski calm, something that proved difficult in Liverpool’s win over Spurs in December.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister – Mac Allister scored an opportunistic header in the six-goal win last month and has been in strong creative form. He provided three assists in his last three games for the Reds and split Man Utd’s defense with a superb pass as Liverpool equalized at the weekend.
RW: Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian extended his excellent goal tally against Man Utd at the weekend and is ready to do the same against Tottenham. He has scored 14 goals and provided four assists in 21 matches, including four goal contributions in December.
AM: Curtis Jones – Dominik Szoboszlai, who starred in that game late last year, is questionable due to illness, meaning Jones could get the nod. He wasn’t at his best against Man Utd but will be keen to unsettle Spurs’ failing defense.
LW: Cody Gakpo – The impressive Dutch striker has scored four goals and provided two assists in his last six games, although he was one of the few not to score or provide an assist against Tottenham recently.
ST: Diogo Jota – Jota has not played for the Reds since returning from injury in December, such is the impressive form of Gakpo and Luis Diaz. However, he could start on Wednesday as Diaz may be rested and Darwin Nunez is struggling for form.