Team News: Christian Benteke drops out for Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dropped Christian Benteke for tonight's League Cup semi-final tie away at Stoke City.

The striker scored the winning goals against Leicester City and Sunderland recently, but his performance during the 2-0 defeat away at West Ham United last time out was roundly criticised.

As a result, the Belgian striker has found himself among the substitutes at the Britannia Stadium, with Roberto Firmino leading the attack.

Adam Lallana has replaced Benteke in the starting lineup, while Joe Allen has come in at the expense of Jordon Ibe.

As for the hosting Potters, they are unchanged from the side that lost 2-1 away at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.

Holding midfielder Geoff Cameron has been included following the club's successful appeal against the red card that he received against the Baggies.

Stoke City: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Cameron; Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri; Bojan Subs: Haugaard, Joselu, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Adam, Walters, Crouch

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Can, Allen; Coutinho, Lallana; Firmino Subs: Bogdan, Milner, Benteke, Brannagan, Ibe, Smith, Randall

Follow Sports Mole's live text updates of the encounter in the Potteries here.