Liverpool squad confirmed ahead of Carabao Cup fixture against Man City

Liverpool have arrived in Manchester and, according to Manchester Evening News, the confirmed squad has some surprising news – with a perceived weakened defence juxtaposed with a strong attack.

The Reds are without some key first team players who starred at the World Cup including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Alisson while James Milner hasn’t been included in the squad. This is on top of the likes of Luis Diaz, Arthur, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones being out injured.

However, there’s still a healthy squad to choose from. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Thiago, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harvey Elliott didn’t go to Qatar and all are in the squad for the game. Uruguayan Darwin Nunez, Fabinho and club captain Jordan Henderson did make the trip to Qatar but have since returned in time to be involved.

The full confirmed 20-man squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Adrian, Caomhin Kelleher, Harvey Davies

Defenders: Calvin Ramsay, Nat Phillips, Joe Gomez, Stefan Bajcetic, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas

Midfielders: Jordan Henderson, Melkamu Frauendorf, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Forwards: Ben Doak, Harvey Elliott, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Bobby Clark

With only Andy Robertson being a regular undisputed starter in the backline, Liverpool fans will be worried about how the team plans to keep the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland quiet for the full 90 minutes.

However, with first team regulars Thiago, Henderson, Nunez and Salah making the trip, The Reds fans will be confident that Liverpool can cause just as much problems for the City defence too. Fans will also be keen to see if Ben Doak will make an appearance, with the youngster garnering plenty of attention from fans and pundits over the past few weeks.

Liverpool and Manchester City both return to competitive action this evening, having not played for over five weeks due to the World Cup. The teams are vying to win in order to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, which is the first piece of silverware of the season with the final in February.