Salah out & key men rested? How Liverpool could line up vs Luton predicted

Liverpool have the Carabao Cup final in sight, but before that comes the test of Luton Town at home on Wednesday night.

Considering the ever-mounting injury crisis, Jurgen Klopp could've done with a week off to prepare for Sunday's trip to Wembley and a chance at the first silverware of the season. However, the fixture pile-up means that isn't an option.

While a home clash against one of the Premier League's bottom three is, on paper at least, one of the nicer matches Liverpool might've been handed, Luton won't roll over and make it easy for the Reds as they attempt to maintain the gap over Manchester City and avoid any more fitness issues.

The Hatters may have only won one of their last five in the league, but they have been much improved of late and Rob Edwards' side have gone toe to toe with Newcastle and Manchester United, while smashing four past Brighton in one of the shock results of recent weeks.

Who Klopp wants to pick and is able to pick for this one are probably two very different things, with rotation a necessity rather than a luxury at the moment.

With multiple factors to consider, here's how the Reds might line up at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

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Goalkeeper & Defence

With Caoimhin Kelleher set to start the Carabao Cup final regardless, the Irishman is now set for another run in the team, with Alisson just the latest Liverpool star to be struck down by a hamstring injury.

Kelleher performed well in the Reds' last two wins over Brentford and Burnley, but has kept just one clean sheet in four Premier League outings in 2023/24.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold out for the next couple of games at least, Conor Bradley should continue at right back.

However, the impressive youngster, who started his career as a winger, could also be an outside-the-box solution further forward given the injury crisis and his creative talents, while Joe Gomez is another option for right back.

Virgil van Dijk will likely remain in the team for midweek, though Ibrahima Konate, whose fitness record remains the stuff of concern, could be rested ahead of Sunday's final. If so, expect Jarell Quansah to step in.

Andy Robertson should continue at left back, though Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas remain options for rotation if needed.

Midfield

At the start of the month, it looked like Liverpool suddenly had choices again in the centre of the park, with Thiago's long-awaited comeback complemented by Wataru Endo's return from the Asian Cup.

However, Thiago has since been struck down with a new injury, while Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai have joined the 32-year-old in the treatment room.

Endo will likely continue at the base of midfield against Luton, with his industry and defensive nous required against the Hatters' in-form and industrious paring of Ross Barkley and Albert Sambi Lokonga.

Alexis Mac Allister may then continue in a more advanced role, while Ryan Gravenberch should deputise for Jones.

Youngsters Bobby Clark and James McConnell too are options, but neither are likely to start.

Attack

Three of Liverpool's regular five attackers are doubts ahead of this one, while there could be major rotation to protect players from further risk ahead of the final.

Mohamed Salah made his comeback with a goal and an assist against Brentford, but was only introduced in the first half after an injury to Diogo Jota.

There have been reports that the Egyptian is still recovering from his own hamstring issue and could be left out of the lineup here, with key games in the near future to consider.

If so, Harvey Elliott could be the man to take up the right flank, though Bradley is also an option.

Cody Gakpo should start ahead of Darwin Nuñez who was also subbed on Saturday with a possible issue.

Luis Diaz — the man who salvaged a point for Liverpool away at Kenilworth Road earlier this season — will almost certainly start on the left.

Young talents Kaide Gordon and Lewis Koumas could be part of the matchday squad, amid the availability issues.

Predicted Liverpool starting XI vs Luton Town

(4-3-3): Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson, Mac Allister, Endo, Gravenberch, Elliott, Gakpo, Diaz