Liverpool line-ups for Fulham as Conor Bradley and Ryan Gravenberch decisions made
Paul Gorst - Change of role for Nunez
With the Wembley arches now visible in the distance for Liverpool, the timing of their injury crisis is far from ideal.
The good news, at least, is that captain Virgil van Dijk returns for this one and the skipper starts alongside Ibrahima Konate for me. With no game now until January 21 after this evening, Jurgen Klopp has to go as strong as possible, which brings us neatly to the goalkeeping situation.
Pep Lijnders has already confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher will start the game and while there was wisdom in giving him these cup minutes two years ago as an incentive to keep him away from exploring his options later that summer, I see no reason why Liverpool shouldn't be selecting the goalkeeper they believe to be the world's best in Alisson Becker.
In the full-back spots, I'm going to give Conor Bradley a run-out at right-back now that Trent Alexander-Arnold is sidelined with Joe Gomez continuing to deputise for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas on the left.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister starts as the No.6 with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott further forward. Both players were superb in the previous round against West Ham, so this is another chance for that tandem to impress.
Diogo Jota leads the line down the middle and I'm shunting Luis Diaz out to the right and giving Darwin Nunez the chance to gallop down the left with his typical brand of headstrong menace. Cody Gakpo can wait in the wings if needed.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Elliott, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Nunez
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Ian
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