So far, the Reds look right for making relentless runs toward titles in either or both of the Premier League and Champions League.
But, this season, for the first time in recent memory, I am also actually bullish about the Reds making a run in one or both of the domestic cup competitions.
Why? Because, in my opinion, our reserve team that will start those games has improved significantly. This assumes, of course, that we don’t suffer a large number of significant injuries throughout the squad. As injuries occur in the first team, reserves move up. This means those domestic cup spots will instead go to youngsters.
For now, LFC’s squad has suffered one long-term injury, and we have several short-term injuries. This is a relatively normal state of affairs. If injuries continue on this normal-ish course throughout the season, the players who are likely to be competing for LFC in the domestic cups will, in my opinion, have a decent shot at advancing to the late rounds of those competitions.
Who will be on those teams?
Our back line is likely to be Caiomhin Kelleher, Neco Williams, Ibou Konaté, Joe Gomez, and Konstantinos Tsimikas. Sprinkle in Nat Phillips as well. Kids will fill in as required. That will happen tomorrow at right back, because Neco Williams is currently out. The coaches seem excited about a right back prospect named Conor Bradley, so I expect him to start.
In midfield, throughout the cups I expect we will see some of James Milner, Curtis Jones, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. We may also see some Naby Keïta in these matches. Naby is unlikely to play tomorrow, because he’s currently holding down a starting spot in the first team, given the absences of Elliott and Thiago. In addition, when Naby has played in domestic cup matches in the past, he has played badly. I think he has a bad attitude about them, and I personally hope he DOESN’T feature in these competitions, for that reason. I suspect that we will see one youngster in midfield in most of the matches, including tomorrow.
Across the forward line, we will see Divock Origi and Taki Minamino. But the forward who is most likely to get our blood racing in these matches is a 16-year-old kid (he will turn 17 soon!) named Kaide Gordon.
Gordon played with the first team throughout the preseason. He joined Liverpool in February 2021 from Derby County, for a rumored fee of around 1 million pounds.
Gordon is left-footed, runs like the wind, is a very skilled dribbler, and has a great shot. Sound familiar? In the preseason, Gordon played in Mo Salah’s spot on the right wing. In each of his appearances, Gordon was the most exciting player on the pitch. Obviously, he is raw. His timing and decision-making still need lots of work. But, without question, there is no defender in world football, VVD included, who will want to have this kid running at him with the ball. Although the comparisons to Mo Salah are inevitable, to my eyes, Gordon actually currently looks more like a less-polished version of Leroy Sané. Not bad. And, I suspect that, as he trains more and more with LFC, Gordon will look more and more like Mo, and less like a traditional winger, such as Sané.
If I’m right about who’s going to be playing in these matches, then I think LFC will be very tough to beat. Across the defense, midfield, and forward lines will be players who are good enough to start, or at least play a significant squad role, for any Premier League team. Klopp will make sure youngsters get some game time as well — in addition to Gordon, who I think will play a huge role in these competitions. Nonetheless, even with the kiddos sprinkled in, the overall makeup of these LFC domestic cup teams looks to be stronger than it has been in my memory.
Having said all of that, we’ve got a game tomorrow, and it will probably be a relatively tough one. Norwich City are bottom of the Premier League, and they are already in deep shit when it comes to keeping their PL spot. But, because they have done so poorly in the league, they will be even more desperate for a win tomorrow. If I were their manager, I would be very torn about whether to rest any of my first-team players for this match. Yes, Norwich City needs to focus on the league. But Norwich sure could use a win — ANY kind of win — right about now. And a home win against Liverpool, even in a cup match, just might do the trick. We may see a very strong version of Norwich City tomorrow, and they will be playing in front of a home crowd that’s also desperate for them to win.
My guess:
Norwich City 1 – LFC 2
