Gomez starts with a debut for Koumetio
Paul Gorst: So then, Arsenal again. The last time these two met in this competition, there were 120 minutes, 10 goals and a penalty shootout.
For the sake of all reporters looking to file their copy before newspaper deadlines, let’s hope there is no repeat.
Although supporters would gladly take something similar tonight, I’m sure!
There will be many changes again for this one and I’m going to make them too.
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So my back five is Adrian, Neco Williams, Joe Gomez and a debut for Billy Koumetio. At left back, I’m starting Andy Robertson with Kostas Tsimikas injured.
James Milner is saved for midfield.
My midfield trio would be Marko Grujic, Curtis Jones and Milner with Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino and Xherdan Shaqiri in the front three.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Williams, Gomez, Koumetio, Robertson; Grujic, Jones, Milner; Shaqiri, Minamino, Jota.
Defence is the big question for Klopp tonight
Ian Doyle: What is the point of picking a strong midfield and forward line if you aren’t going to do the same with the defence?
That’s the poser with which Jurgen Klopp has surely been grappling ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie with Arsenal tonight.
Matters have been made somewhat more straightforward by Kostas Tsimikas being out.
James Milner is the call at left-back, with Neco Williams on the right.
In the middle, Joe Gomez should start alongside Rhys Williams. Arsenal went pretty strong against Leicester City last time out so the decision at half-time over who Fabinho replaces can be based on how the game is going. Adrian is in goal.
The midfield can be the same as the one against Lincoln, where Xherdan Shaqiri was impressive from a deeper role and Marko Grujic can have what is likely to be a farewell appearance.
Now things become interesting in terms of how best to set up the forward line.
Takumi Minamino has been impressive down the middle but he’ll have to move over to the right for this one, with Divock Origi central and Diogo Jota on the left.
The other option is to switch Minamino and Origi – meaning the latter would start on the right wing for Liverpool for the first time since… well, the first time ever actually. Arsenal wouldn’t be expecting that.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; N Williams, Gomez, R Williams, Milner; Jones, Grujic, Shaqiri; Minamino, Origi, Jota.
Jota gets first start as Klopp rings changes
Connor Dunn: All change, please. All change.
Liverpool’s starting XI that dominated Lincoln City in round three of the Carabao Cup was a completely different outfit to the one we saw in both Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal that bookended the 7-2 victory.
And such is the way this season is going to play out, it makes total sense to implement swathes of changes once again for Arsenal’s next visit, in round four of the League Cup on Thursday night.
However, due to the strong nature of the Reds opposition there is a case to be made to put in more experienced players in some areas of the pitch – and a number of Liverpool’s world-class stars will certainly be on the bench to change the game if needed – while there are a few selection issues that could affect the starting line-up.
Firstly, Adrian starts in goal. Neco Williams plays at right-back and James Milner comes in on the left to give Andy Robertson a rest with new signing Kostas Tsimikas suffering with injury.
In the heart of defence, I’d like to see Virgil van Dijk continue – with Joel Matip still injured – while Billy Koumetio comes in as his partner.
In the midfield three, Marko Grujic continues while Xherdan Shaqiri also keeps his place in the slightly deeper role as he did against Lincoln and Curtis Jones takes the final spot.
At the head of the field, I’m keeping Harvey Elliott on the right while Takumi Minamino plays down the middle and Diogo Jota is handed his first start for the Reds on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; Williams, Koumetio, Van Dijk, Milner; Grujic, Shaqiri, Jones; Elliott, Minamino, Jota.
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Milner can help guide a young backline through
Sean Bradbury: This is a difficult one given Liverpool’s injury issues at the back.
Plus the fact that the Reds cannot be entirely sure how Mikel Arteta will play it in terms of rotation.
But the team fielded in the 7-2 victory away to Lincoln in the last round gave an excellent account of themselves.
Most of them get the nod again. Adrian starts in goal. Neco Williams is at right-back, with James Milner on the left in the absence of the sidelined Kostas Tsimikas.
With Milner’s senior presence to guide them through, I would play both Billy Koumetio and Rhys Williams in the heart of defence.
Curtis Jones, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Grujic make up the midfield.
And in attack it is Takumi Minamino on the right, Divock Origi central and Diogo Jota on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Adrian; N Williams, R Williams, Koumetio, Milner; Grujic, Jones, Shaqiri; Minamino, Origi, Jota.
*How would you line up against Arsenal? Have your say in the comments section.
