Liverpool knowledgeable David Lynch tells Sports Mole that defending the EFL Cup title ought to be the “lowest priority” for Reds boss Arne Slot this season.
Liverpool must aloof no longer be losing sleep over losing their grip on the EFL Cup title as the competition is the “lowest priority” for new boss Arne Slot, based on Reds knowledgeable David Lynch.
The Merseyside giants won a tale-extending tenth title within the competition by defeating Chelsea 1-0 within the 2023-24 closing and started the defence of their crown with a 5-1 thrashing of West Ham United within the third spherical last month.
Slot is predicted to ring the adjustments for the fourth-spherical commute to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday evening, and talking to Sports Mole, Lynch expressed his belief that a defeat at the Amex would no longer be the worst final result.
“I would like to see changes,” Lynch said. “I factual assume the League Cup, even as you happen to reach staunch into a new season, is already the lowest priority of the the four trophies, and I assume grand more so at the minute with the very fact that Liverpool absorb won it a pair of cases as of late.
“You peep at form of the impression it be had on the squad at cases by the accidents you would also gather by factual including in these extra games, that two-legged semi-closing as properly becomes a field when that comes around. Basically, the two best outcomes to the League Cup is both to switch out at the foremost different or to assemble it – I assume 2d best is to to switch out somewhat early genuinely.
“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 no longer to “throw the game” in opposition to Brighton
“You starting up announcing ‘K, who can attain Brighton relieve-to-relieve’, as a supervisor I factual produce no longer assume it is advisable to must be in that region. Brighton away is a tough sport, they are flying for the time being, taking part in genuinely properly and I assume it be going to be a tough one for Liverpool, but I aloof would esteem to peep adjustments.
“That is no longer to assert fully throw the game, but I factual assume in case you skedaddle out it be no longer the worst thing that you just would also judge and it be factual no longer the priority this season, in particular as they seem to be in a title dash as properly 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 anticipated to run to the Amex without the companies of Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, Conor Bradley attributable to damage, however the latter three would absorb possible do their names into the hat for starts within the fourth spherical.
Slot aloof has several alternatives for rotation in Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, Tyler Morton and Kostas Tsimikas, however the Dutchman’s most absorbing jam arguably is accessible in between the posts, where Caoimhin Kelleher is for the time being the acting number 1 attributable to Alisson’s layoff.
Kelleher was already the skedaddle-to goalkeeper in cup matches, but with the Republic of Ireland international now incomes traditional Premier League minutes, there may presumably presumably be a likelihood for third-decision Vitezslav Jaros to build his first Liverpool starting up on Wednesday.
“My expectation” – Will Kelleher or Jaros starting up in opposition to Brighton?
© Imago
Jaros got here off the bench for his Liverpool debut within the 1-0 gather over Crystal Palace earlier this month – the game that Alisson suffered his damage in – and Lynch expects the 23-one year-outdated to be promoted to the foremost XI in midweek.
“I think Jaros might start, that’s kind of my expectation to be honest,” Lynch added. “I assume on the basis that Liverpool absorb purchased so many games for the time being, you are no longer jumpy too grand about Kelleher being fascinating, you produce no longer need him getting an damage.
“Slot’s spoken so highly about Jaros within the past that he clearly thinks he’s suitable sufficient to attain this job anyway. It’d be Kelleher coming in for this competition itsy-bitsy question if Alisson was fit, so why no longer employ your backup when it be Jaros and you price him so highly?
“As I divulge, Slot alluded to even before it grew to turn into definite that Jaros was going to gain wherever stop to the pitch this season, he more or less unprompted talked about him and the arrangement in which appropriate he’s and obviously depended on him sufficient to bring him on in opposition to Crystal Palace in that anguish and be phase 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 commute to Brighton comes factual three days before the Reds and the Seagulls butt heads at Anfield within the Premier League, where Slot’s aspect sit down one level adrift of Manchester Metropolis within the standings following their thrilling 2-2 diagram with Arsenal.
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