Jurgen Klopp will refresh his Liverpool line-up for the League Cup clash at Burton Albion on Tuesday night, but the manager won’t be making comprehensive changes.
The Reds are desperate to shake off the 2-0 defeat to Burnley by delivering a ruthless performance in the second-round encounter at Pirelli Stadium.
And while the German will make a few alterations to the first 11 who failed to get on the scoresheet against Sean Dyche’s side, there will not be a complete overhaul of personnel.
“It's good in football that you always have the chance in the next game to show improvement,” Klopp said in his pre-match conference at Melwood.
“Of course we will make changes. It depends a little bit on what the doctor will tell me, but it's not really likely that we will change seven or eight positions or something like this - I'm not sure we could do it, it's not the plan.
“It's another game, an important game, so we have to show that we can better than last Saturday.”
Klopp has studied Liverpool’s opponents, and is aware of what to expect from them in terms of system and approach.
“We analysed Burton. The Championship, I have to say, I like this league. It's a nice story they wrote in the last two or three years with getting promoted each year, that's really good,” said the Reds boss.
“They have an experienced manager, style of play - I would expect a 3-5-2 system, which is what they have played in the last few games.
“Of course we respect the opponent, but it's not the moment to rest somebody or something.
“We have a few who are now in a good shape, and they’ve had two weeks more pre-season, two weeks more to train.
“We have to give them a chance of course, that's how it is. If we think they can help us, then we will make the change.
“Our session today is not the highest intensity of training - it's not possible. It's not that you can train so good that I think 'OK, he should be in the line-up'.
“No, it's about which kind of opportunities we have, who we can really use, who is in shape and that's what we try to figure out in this next 24 hours and then we will make a line-up.”
Klopp has no major concerns to deal with in terms of physical setbacks ahead of the trip. “We have no real injuries, a few little issues if you want,” he said.
“OK, I could now name a few names, but it is possible that they could still play, so I have not made a final decision about this.
“In this moment I would say those who were available last week are available again, plus maybe one or two players if we need them.
“We have a few with longer injuries like Lucas, so they are now back in training but if we have other options, it's not a moment where we should force it.”
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