Liverpool’s FA Cup draw is good news for Jurgen Klopp and his side ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham.
Liverpool’s favorable draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup would be a dream come true given Jurgen Klopp’s January squad and schedule.
The Reds reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. This means they will have less time than they would have had in the winter break had they not reached the last four of the competition.
Liverpool are struggling with Alexander-Arnold’s injury as the injury toll piles up ahead of the draw at Fulham.
Last Sunday’s win against Arsenal at the Emirates means they will have to go winless in the FA Cup before the end of the month. Klopp’s men are expected to be without Mohamed Salah and Endo Wataru due to national team commitments with five games remaining in January.
Klopp also had eight players missing from his starting line-up. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the latest name to join Dominic Szoboslai, Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Baicetic, Ben Doak and Joel Matip. This means that Klopp cannot change direction as he wishes.
The German fielded a strong Arsenal side, but two of his four replacements were Bobby Clarke and Conor Bradley, who had previously played a combined 452 minutes for the top-flight club.
This was in stark contrast to the other two substitutes, Ryan Gravenberg (1,054 minutes against Liverpool for Liverpool) and Diogo Lotta (7,686 minutes against Arsenal).
A tie in the fourth round would therefore be ideal, with a win against mid-table Norwich City or 10th-placed Bristol Rovers at Anfield. Next up is the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Fulham and Chelsea away to Merseyside in midweek.
Liverpool travel to Bournemouth at the weekend before progressing to the next round of the FA Cup. The Reds will no doubt go all out against the Cherries as they fight for the league title.
However, Liverpool have failed to beat Fulham under Klopp, so the manager is likely to field a strong side for the second leg at Craven Cottage in a few days’ time. What if they can’t travel to London for the first game at Anfield tonight with their best players?
And when they face Norwich, who haven’t won at Anfield since 1994, or Bristol Rovers, who haven’t played at Anfield since 1992, Klopp is optimistic of victory, even if he has a weakened squad. Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quanza, Owen Beck, Bobby Clarke and Kaide Gordon are among those hoping to start.
The draw could give some of Liverpool’s most used players a break this season. Now that Alexander-Arnold is out, players like Alisson, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will have to rest. Klopp will also be hoping some of his returning players get some time.
