Jurgen Klopp wish will be granted soon as Liverpool ponder double replacement

For someone who has always had something of a reluctant relationship with the League Cup, the competition has proven hugely beneficial for Jurgen Klopp during his Anfield tenure.

And it could provide further evidence his 'Liverpool FC Reloaded' can become his latest trophy-winning Reds iteration when they look to take a significant step towards a Wembley return this evening.

Klopp's side entertain Fulham in their semi-final first leg hoping the lessons learned and opportunities earned earlier in the tournament can now help ensure their injury-hit squad bag the first major honour of the campaign.

Certainly, the Reds will have to dig deep into their personnel with Trent Alexander-Arnold having become the latest senior player unavailable, absent for at least the next three weeks with a knee issue.

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This, then, is when the chances given to youngsters in the League Cup throughout the early stages of their career can bear fruit. Indeed, Alexander-Arnold made his first two senior outings for Liverpool in the competition in the wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United in 2016.

And the League Cup has opened doors for almost all of the Academy graduates who were involved in Sunday's 2-0 FA Cup win at Arsenal. Jarell Quansahmade his first home start and Luke Chambers his debut against Leicester City in September, Bobby Clark - along with the injured Stefan Bajcetic - made their full debuts against Derby County last season (the sidelined Ben Doak made his bow from the bench in the same game), while Conor Bradley and Kaide Gordon were handed their first appearances at