Full Liverpool Squad to Face Tottenham Hotspur – as Arne Slot Omits Three Players Amid Dominik Szoboszlai Update
Liverpool are set to face Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tonight at 8pm GMT, with only one potential absentee from their squad.
The Reds boast an almost fully fit team, a luxury their North London opponents cannot claim. Tottenham will be missing several key players, including defenders Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, and Destiny Udogie, alongside their first-choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
In contrast, Liverpool’s only confirmed absentee is Joe Gomez, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss the next few weeks.
Dominik Szoboszlai remains a doubt after missing the recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United due to illness. The midfielder was absent from training on Monday, and even if he has recovered, he is unlikely to start against Tottenham.
If Szoboszlai is deemed fit enough for the bench, Arne Slot will face the challenge of omitting three players from his 20-man squad.
Currently, the Liverpool boss is managing a group of 24 senior professionals. There is also uncertainty surrounding Tyler Morton, who has not featured since the 2-1 quarter-final victory over Southampton.
Third-choice goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros is another player likely to miss out. Jaros made his full debut in Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Brighton in the fourth round while Alisson Becker was injured, and Caoimhin Kelleher was given a rest.
Should Szoboszlai return, a midfielder who featured against Manchester United may have to step aside. Wataru Endo has been a consistent presence in the Carabao Cup but remains lower in the pecking order for Premier League and Champions League matches.
Harvey Elliott, who has seen limited action since recovering from a fractured foot, will also be eager for an opportunity. Slot might alternatively opt to rest either Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister, considering their significant playing time this season.
Another option for Slot could involve reducing his forward options, which might see Federico Chiesa miss out. The Liverpool manager has also remained tight-lipped about his choice of goalkeeper for tonight’s clash.
While Alisson Becker is the undisputed first-choice in the Premier League and Champions League, Kelleher has been Liverpool’s preferred goalkeeper in domestic cup competitions over the past three seasons, playing a pivotal role in two Carabao Cup triumphs.
Liverpool travel to face Tottenham just weeks after their thrilling 6-3 victory over them. Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Slot shared his thoughts on what he expects from Spurs.
“I think what we expect before we go into the game is that two teams have such a clear identity and playing style, that is I think what most people expect to see tomorrow again as well.
“They have their identity, we have our own identity, and both teams trying to force that identity towards the other. Large parts of the away game two weeks ago, we could show our identity.
“But there were definitely also parts in the game where they showed how good of a team they are. Scoring three goals against us is also an accomplishment. I know we scored six in the game as well but scoring three against us, not many teams have done [that] until now.”
Potential Liverpool Players Available to Face Tottenham
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Jaros.
Defenders: Alexander-Arnold, Bradley, van Dijk, Konate, Quansah, Robertson, Tsimikas.
Midfielders: Gravenberch, Endo, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai, Elliott, Morton.
Forwards: Salah, Gakpo, Jota, Diaz, Nunez, Chiesa.
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