Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp won't take any risks with line-up against Leeds
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists the EFL Cup quarter-final against Leeds is no time to take risks with his selection despite injuries beginning to mount.
Playmaker Philippe Coutinho is absent with suspected ankle ligament damage, fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino is nursing a calf problem from Saturday's victory over Sunderland while Daniel Sturridge is not yet training with the team after a similar problem forced him to sit out the weekend.
Midfielder Adam Lallana's groin injury rules him out while Klopp is also missing striker Danny Ings, who is sidelined for the season with a knee ligament injury.
The Reds boss made 11 changes in the last round against Tottenham but the only change he would confirm he would be making was goalkeeper Simon Mignolet coming in for Loris Karius.
Coutinho's absence - the length of which is still to be determined - is a blow but there was no guarantee he would have featured against Leeds anyway,
"The best thing would be for him not to be out, but it is not really likely," Klopp said. "We have to wait for the scan and then we will know.
"When you are in the rhythm it is different but we are not in this rhythm. You need to listen to the players and figure out if they are ready or not.
"It is not allowed to take any risks. It is about having a line-up which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds are in a really good moment.
"They are a football-playing side and they will force us into a lot of things so we need to work hard in these games so the players need to be fit for this.
"We don't want to rest somebody who doesn't need a rest. It is possible we make a few changes; it is possible we will play nearly the same team.
"For sure, if nothing happens, Simon (Mignolet) will play."
One player who is likely to get his reward is Divock Origi, who came off the bench following Coutinho's injury to score his first Premier League goal since April.
"His attitude is good, but there is no alternative to being patient - what would be the alternative to being patient?" said Klopp.
"Moan every day and talk to me and your team-mates? That isn't how it works.
"I know it's not been the easiest time for him, but it's not like it's been the worst either.
"The group are very respectful. We don't have the kind of players who, if they're not in the line-up, don' t have the same values.
"As long as the players train with the right attitude we can help as much as they want apart from being all the time in the line-up. We do it only to have them ready for the line-up.
"It's not nice, but it's training. All is good and Divock is in a good way."
Leeds head coach Garry Monk is determined not to be distracted by all the nostalgia attached to his side's tie at Anfield.
Success-starved Leeds fans have had to content themselves with memories of the great Leeds sides of yesteryear when their trips to Liverpool were headlined as the match of the day.
Former Leeds winger and manager Eddie Gray was at Elland Road on Monday to help preview the game for LUTV and recalled such games as the 1965 FA Cup final and the goalless draw at Anfield in 1969 that clinched Don Revie's side the old Division One title.
More recent clashes featured Tony Yeboah's stunning volley at Elland Road in 1995 and Mark Viduka's four-goal haul in a 4-3 win against Liverpool in 2000.
"It's a historic fixture in English football and we have to respect that," said Monk.
"We're under no illusions. It's a very difficult game for us, they're an extremely talented side, they're doing very well in the league and obviously one of the better teams across European football.
"It's a great challenge, that's how we have to look at it. Our young players have a bit of freedom to go there.
"We're under no pressure, the odds are against us, but we have good belief in ourselves.
"It's important these players go through this type of experience because if you want to progress and get to the highest level of football - staff and players - we have to embrace this type of challenge and the atmosphere we face tomorrow."
Monk has made wholesale changes in previous EFL Cup ties this season, but gave little away as to whether he will be following suit or fielding his strongest side.
Source: PAR
