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How the depleted Liverpool could line up against Chelsea at Wembley

  /  autty

Another trip to Wembley awaits Liverpool and Chelsea as they prepare to face each other once more in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

The two teams met in both domestic cup finals two years ago, with the Reds emerging victorious on penalties on both occasions, and they will enter this weekend's clash as favourites given they are 22 points clear of Mauricio Pochettino's men in the Premier League.

However, Jurgen Klopp has plenty of selection issues to ponder due to the number of injuries that have hit his squad in recent weeks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones have already been ruled out of the Wembley showpiece, while Alisson is a doubt after missing Saturday's 4-1 win at Brentford.

Dominik Szoboszlai is also facing a race against time to return from a hamstring problem, and Darwin Nunez was withdrawn at half time on the weekend as a precaution.

All six players would have been in the running to start against Chelsea, but they may now all miss out, and replacing them won't be easy.

However, when it comes to the goalkeeping position, Klopp has a fairly straightforward decision to make.

Caoimhin Kelleher has been trusted with the gloves for all five of Liverpool's matches on their run to the final, and he is almost certain to deputise for Alisson once again.

The German coach also has his first-choice centre back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate available, and Andy Robertson has recovered from shoulder surgery, meaning all three are likely to be handed starts.

But deciding on who will fill the void left behind by Alexander-Arnold is less obvious.

Conor Bradley has been excellent since breaking into the first team, and starred against Chelsea last month when he registered a goal and two assists in a 4-1 win.

Bradley appears the favourite to get the nod, but Joe Gomez cannot be discounted. The versatile defender has played across the back four this season and has been one of Liverpool's most consistent performers.

If Klopp wants to focus a little more on defensive cover on the right to allow Robertson to get forward on the opposite flank, he could plump for Gomez over Bradley.

Meanwhile, the midfield may be providing Klopp with the biggest headache.

If he had everyone fit, the 56-year-old would probably play Szoboszlai and Jones either side of Alexis Mac Allister.

He doesn't have that luxury, though, so will need to adapt. The reliable Wataru Endo will likely fill the holding midfielder role, with Mac Allister shifting slightly further forward, and then it could be a straight shootout between Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott.

Gravenberch impressed against Brentford, enjoying one of his better games since arriving at Anfield last summer, while Elliott has thrived off the bench this season, which may see the Dutchman just clinch that final midfield spot.

The right wing will be occupied by Mohamed Salah, who showed no signs of rustiness after a month out when he came off the bench at the weekend to get a goal and an assist at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Luis Diaz has started Liverpool's last six league games and ought to begin on the left, but picking between Nunez and Cody Gakpo may be a difficult choice for Klopp.

Nunez suffered a knock at Brentford, and it could be a risk to rush him back, while Gakpo came off the bench to replace him and looked bright from the off.

It would be difficult to leave out a fully-fit Nunez as his ability to create chances is a huge asset, even if he struggles to finish them. The Uruguayan striker hit the woodwork four times when Liverpool hosted Chelsea in January - a Premier League record.

But Nunez looks to be a little short of his optimal condition, and this may lead to Klopp going with Gakpo, and then using Nunez off the bench if he is fit enough to make the matchday squad.