Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Monday that prominent players will return to the starting lineup to face Chelsea in the Football Association Cup tomorrow, Tuesday, after the club participated in a U-23 team in the previous round.
A U-23 team led by former coach Neil Kritchley beat third-tier Shrewsbury Town in the fourth-round runoff, after Klopp refused to pay first-tier players because the match was held during the winter break in the English Premier League.
Liverpool also participated with a team of young men in the League Cup against Aston Villa in a match lost due to its busy schedule, while the first team won the Club World Cup in Qatar, and Club said that he would not venture as he seeks to advance in the Federation Cup.
"It is different from the previous round. The team that played against Shrewsbury Town in the first match did not serve us then, and we did not get the desired result, so we relied on another team in the replay match," Klopp said at a news conference.
"It will certainly not be the same squad that faced Aston Villa and Shrewsbury, there will be young players in the squad, but we will wait to see if they will play in the starting line-up?"
"If Chelsea made changes - and I don't know if he would - we would count on an experienced team. We reached the last 16 in the FA Cup and we want to advance," Klopp added.
| Liverpool stars, including Salah, did nothing because of tight control from Watford players (Reuters) |
And ended the loss without a triple without a response to Watford early this week, Liverpool's unbeaten record in the Premier League, and many blamed the heart of the defense Diane Lovrain for this defeat, but Klopp strongly defended his player.
"I do not agree with those who hold Diane Leuven responsible for the defeat. It was a huge challenge for Diane to stop Troy Denny, Joe Gomez faced similar problems, and Diane and Joe presented great games this season in this position, but fitness and maintaining your level are always difficult in a ball Pro Foot. Diane is a wonderful defense heart. "
Club stressed that Liverpool's performance at Vikarge Road will not play a role in the squad selection for the Stamford Bridge trip.
He said, "The defeat will not have any effect on the selection of the squad tomorrow. We always play with a team that gives us the best opportunity to cross to the next round."
The first loss for Liverpool this season against Watford deprived the leading team of two records, as they would not be able to complete the season without losing and equaling the "indomitable" Arsenal record in the 2003-2004 season.
Also due to the defeat, Liverpool's winning streak stopped at 44 consecutive games, lagging five games behind Arsenal's record of 49 consecutive games unbeaten 16 years ago.
After Liverpool equaled the record for Manchester City in 2016 by winning 18 consecutive league games, the defeat prevented them from beating the previous record.