Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Dejan Lovren could return for Wednesday's EFL Cup clash with Chelsea at Anfield.
Lovren has not featured since the World Cup final, having struggled with a pelvic injury throughout this summer's tournament in Russia, causing him to miss the opening weeks of the current campaign.
Liverpool have won every game in the Croatia international's absence but lost Virgil van Dijk to a rib injury during their 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday, and Klopp hinted that Lovren will replace the Dutchman.
"Dejan looks actually quite good, he has trained now four times, and he had a very intense period before that with our fitness guys for 10 days, so he looks ready," Klopp told reporters.
"[Van Dijk]'s is still a bit painful, we will see how we deal with that. It's how we thought already, not too serious, but it's not nothing. It needs to settle. I will speak to him today and see how he is, then make a decision about him.
"It's a competition we like, we showed that especially in my first season. Now we want to show we are ready for that as well. It's a home game, floodlights, I like it! It's a sell out at Anfield. it's a very strong side, so it will be interesting. The only position I will confirm today is Simon [Mignolet]. Simon will start. All the rest, you have to wait until tomorrow. But it will be a good team, believe me!
"I won't even name the number of changes I will make. One I already confirmed, so it cannot be nil, and it will for sure not be 11. With our rhythm we are used to playing three times a week so let's do it. Each game is an opportunity. It's all about the situation, is the player ready, all the things you have to consider when you think about a line-up. It will be a very good side tomorrow."
Liverpool are the most successful team in League Cup history, having won the competition eight times, most recently in 2012.
Barney Corkhill
