Team News: Diogo Jota on bench for Liverpool, Luis Diaz starts

Diogo Jota has been passed fit to make the bench for Liverpool in the EFL Cup final against Chelsea, with Luis Diaz named in the starting lineup.

Jota sustained an ankle injury against Inter Milan at San Siro in the Champions League but is given the green light to appear on the bench after making great strides in his recovery in training.

As a result, new signing Diaz once again joins Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the final third, but there is no space in the matchday squad for Harvey Elliott or the injured Roberto Firmino.

As expected, Caoimhin Kelleher is given the nod in between the sticks, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Andy Robertson joining him in the backline.

Jordan Henderson also earns a recall to the midfield in place of Curtis Jones, as Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara accompany the skipper in the engine room.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has once again named Romelu Lukaku on the bench, and Edouard Mendy is given the nod in goal over Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Liverpool starting lineup: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Matip, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Diaz, Mane, Salah Subs: Alisson, Konate, Milner, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Origi