How Liverpool could line up against Chelsea

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could potentially be without a full XI of infirm players for Sunday's EFL Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

The Reds are guaranteed to be without eight injury victims in the capital, where none of Alisson Becker (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (knee), Ben Doak (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Joel Matip (ACL), Diogo Jota (knee), Thiago Alcantara (muscle) or Curtis Jones (shin) will be at the manager's disposal.

In addition, Dominik Szoboszlai (thigh), Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez - the latter two of whom sat out the midweek win over Luton Town after experiencing discomfort versus Brentford last weekend - will require late fitness tests over the weekend to determine their availability.

While many uncertainties in attack remain, the Reds' rearguard picks itself, as Caoimhin Kelleher - scorer of Liverpool's final penalty against Chelsea in the 2021-22 showpiece - guards the posts in Alisson's place.

Fresh from becoming Liverpool's highest-scoring Premier League defender at Anfield, Virgil van Dijk leads his team out as captain, while Ibrahima Konate should displace Jarell Quansah to join the Dutchman.

Another alteration at the back ought to see Andrew Robertson relieve Joe Gomez of his left-back duties, but Conor Bradley - who scored one and set up another in January's 4-1 crushing of Chelsea - will hold his place on the opposite side.

Wataru Endo and Alexis Mac Allister appear to be guaranteed starters in the middle, and if Szoboszlai does indeed fail a late fitness test, Ryan Gravenberch should complete the Liverpool trident.

The Reds' fitness concerns up front should have no impact on Luis Diaz's place on the flank, while Cody Gakpo already has four EFL Cup strikes to his name this term and will be the first pick to deputise for Nunez.

With Salah absent against Luton, Harvey Elliott - on his 100th appearance for the Reds - capped off a record-breaking performance with a fine goal at the end, and the 20-year-old has done all he can to play his way into the first XI.

Liverpool possible starting lineup: Kelleher; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister; Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz

> Click here to see how Chelsea could line up for the EFL Cup final