Liverpool expert David Lynch tells Sports Mole that defending the EFL Cup title should be the “lowest priority” for Reds boss Arne Slot this season.
Liverpool should not be losing sleep over losing their grip on the EFL Cup title as the competition is the “lowest priority” for new boss Arne Slot, according to Reds expert David Lynch.
The Merseyside giants won a record-extending 10th title in the competition by defeating Chelsea 1-0 in the 2023-24 final and began the defence of their crown with a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham United in the third round last month.
Slot is expected to ring the changes for the fourth-round trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening, and speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch expressed his belief that a defeat at the Amex would not be the worst outcome.
“I would like to see changes,” Lynch said. “I just think the League Cup, when you come into a new season, is already the lowest priority of the the four trophies, and I think even more so at the minute with the fact that Liverpool have won it a couple of times in recent years.
“You look at sort of the impact it’s had on the squad at times in terms of the injuries you can pick up by just adding in these extra games, that two-legged semi-final as well becomes an issue when that comes around. Basically, the two best outcomes to the League Cup is either to go out at the first opportunity or to win it – I think second best is to to go out pretty early really.
“There are good rotation options, but already with Liverpool you get to the point where if you start to look at how many changes you can make going into this game, we’ve got four or five injuries now and it really starts to become tricky.”
Liverpool warned not to “throw the game” against Brighton
“You start saying ‘Okay, who can do Brighton back-to-back’, as a manager I just don’t think you want to be in that position. Brighton away is a tough game, they are flying at the moment, playing really well and I think it’s going to be a tricky one for Liverpool, but I still would like to see changes.
“That’s not to say completely throw the game, but I just think if you go out it’s not the worst thing imaginable and it’s just not the priority this season, particularly as they seem to be in a title race as well at the minute.
“I would like to see changes, I’d like to see a few other players get opportunities and yeah hopefully Liverpool still get through regardless, but if you don’t it’s not a disaster, and also opportunities to keep fringe players interested it’s a good chance to take that really.”
Liverpool are expected to travel to the Amex without the services of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley due to injury, but the latter three would have likely put their names into the hat for starts in the fourth round.
Slot still has several options for rotation in Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, Tyler Morton and Kostas Tsimikas, but the Dutchman’s biggest dilemma arguably comes in between the posts, where Caoimhin Kelleher is currently the acting number one due to Alisson’s layoff.
Kelleher was already the go-to goalkeeper in cup matches, but with the Republic of Ireland international now earning regular Premier League minutes, there could be an opportunity for third-choice Vitezslav Jaros to make his first Liverpool start on Wednesday.
“My expectation” – Will Kelleher or Jaros start against Brighton?
© Imago
Jaros came off the bench for his Liverpool debut in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace earlier this month – the game that Alisson suffered his injury in – and Lynch expects the 23-year-old to be promoted to the first XI in midweek.
“I think Jaros might start, that’s kind of my expectation to be honest,” Lynch added. “I think on the basis that Liverpool have got so many games at the moment, you’re not worried too much about Kelleher being sharp, you don’t want him getting an injury.
“Slot’s spoken so highly about Jaros in the past that he clearly thinks he’s good enough to do this job anyway. It would be Kelleher coming in for this competition no doubt if Alisson was fit, so why not use your backup when it’s Jaros and you rate him so highly?
“As I say, Slot alluded to even before it became clear that Jaros was going to get anywhere near the pitch this season, he kind of unprompted talked about him and how good he is and obviously trusted him enough to bring him on against Crystal Palace in that situation and be part of the squad.
“So yeah I think a really good opportunity for him to come in and show what he’s about, and he is a he’s a hugely talented keeper so I’m sure he’ll take it in his stride, so I would like to see him between the sticks and I kind of expect that to be honest.”
Liverpool’s trip to Brighton comes just three days before the Reds and the Seagulls butt heads at Anfield in the Premier League, where Slot’s side sit one point adrift of Manchester City in the standings following their thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
No Data Analysis info
