The manager, Jurgen Klopp, acknowledges that Chelsea are “clearly” the favorites for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, yet he affirmed that a depleted Liverpool squad “will give it their all.”
In Wednesday’s 4-1 victory against Luton at Anfield, the Premier League leaders were without nine key players.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Joel Matip, Curtis Jones, and Darwin Nunez were all unavailable.
Liverpool is set to face Chelsea in the final at Wembley on Sunday.
“We have to see [who will be fit for the final], but I said it before the game [against Luton] as long as we have 11 players we will go for it,” Klopp said.
“Will we be big favourites? Definitely not.
“Since we [last] played them [Chelsea], they have improved a lot and it will be tricky. This was exceptional tonight.”
Before the Luton match, Klopp confirmed that Jota is facing “months” on the sidelines due to a knee injury, while Jones has a bone ligament injury, and Alisson is dealing with a muscle problem.
Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai, and Thiago are facing long-term absences, although Klopp has been reserved about Salah and Nunez’s availability for Sunday.
Nunez was substituted at half-time during the victory over Brentford on Saturday, while Salah made a return from injury sustained during the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt, scoring after coming off the bench, but was subsequently omitted from the matchday squad against Luton.
Youngsters step up
In the absence of regular starters for the Luton game, Klopp had to rely on the depth of his squad to maintain their lead in the Premier League.
Klopp fielded a starting lineup with an average age of 25 years and 68 days – the youngest for the club since February 2018. Additionally, Liverpool’s bench featured five players aged 19 or under, with 16-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni among the substitutes.
Eighteen-year-old Jayden Danns, son of former Crystal Palace midfielder Neil, made his senior debut from the bench in the 89th minute and played a role in Liverpool’s fourth goal, as his precise pass eventually led to Harvey Elliott’s goal.
“Then kids came on and did an incredible job. It is cool how culture educated the next generation,” Klopp said.
“It’s not obviously perfect. We said it before :How many games would have Jarell Quansah played if Joel Matip wasn’t injured?
“Quansah has stepped up. Same with Conor [Bradley] and Bobby [Clark], James McConnell. Massive improvement in our young boys.”
Elliott brings up century in style
It was a memorable evening for 20-year-old Elliott, marking his 100th appearance for Liverpool, as his goal in the 90th minute also marked the team’s 100th goal across all competitions this season.
The midfielder, who joined Liverpool from Fulham at the age of 16, showcased maturity beyond his years against Luton and played a crucial role in guiding his team to a four-point lead at the top of the table.
Elliott attempted five shots during the match, his highest in a single Premier League game, and was the most influential player on the field with seven chances created and 17 touches in the opponent’s box.
Leading the charts for passes in the final third with 27, Elliott has surpassed his goal tally from last season in the Premier League, finding the net twice in 22 appearances this campaign.