Klopp's youngsters set for FA Cup test, but he insists 'there is no pressure'

Liverpool's clash with Southampton on Wednesday night is a free hit for the Kop kids who will be unleashed for the FA Cup tie, with Jurgen Klopp insisting the youngsters have nothing to prove to him or the fans.

Klopp was set to make a late call on the starting XI to face the Championship promotion hopefuls but it is likely the team will be made up largely of youngsters after Liverpool claimed a famous Carabao Cup final triumph with many heavyweights missing.

The well-documented injury crisis is set to continue, with Ryan Gravenberch the latest addition to an absentee list now up to 13 first-team players. On top of that, those who played 120 minutes on Sunday are unlikely to be asked to go to the well again and start tonight.

'It's possible a few of them have to start and, if they do, they will do the job,' said Klopp on youngsters such as Bobby Clark and James McConnell. 'Sunday was one of the best football stories ever. There is absolutely no pressure on these boys, just enjoy what they're doing.

'They don't have to show anything. Our boys played in youth teams and U21s and only came up recently, nil experience and they showed it. They have to defend like men, otherwise they cannot play.

'But with the ball… when you are 35, you should play like a kid. There are so many things you cannot buy, you need years to get these experiences and now they get them in a flash. We all have to help them with celebrating the right things and not moaning about the wrong things.'

Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai still all remain doubtful for the match, especially from the start. Wataru Endo, who left Wembley in a foot brace, is set to miss out but his ankle pain was an impact injury and he will be OK for Saturday's trip to