Juergen Klopp says he won’t make significant changes to his Liverpool side for Tuesday’s League Cup tie. Photo: AFP

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp wary of making wholesale League Cup changes ahead of Leeds clash

Liverpool manager says he has no plans to make significant changes for EFL Cup quarter-final against second-tier Leeds United at Anfield

Agence France-Presse

Published: 12:31pm, 29 Nov 2016

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Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp says he has no plans to make wholesale changes for Tuesday’s EFL Cup quarter-final against second-tier Leeds United at Anfield.

Klopp’s men are second in the Premier League and in the last round the German boss made 11 changes for the win over Tottenham Hotspur in the last round of the EFL Cup.

Liverpool will definitely be without Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who is struggling with a calf problem sustained in Saturday’s 2-0 league win at home to Sunderland, while midfielder Adam Lallana will also miss the Leeds match because of a groin injury.

Klopp’s men survived a bruising visit of Sunderland to stay second in the Premier League at the weekend. Photo: Reuters

Daniel Sturridge has yet to return to training following a calf injury, while striker Danny Ings has already been ruled out for the season with knee ligament damage.

Nevertheless, the only change Klopp was prepared to announce Monday was that Simon Mignolet would replace first-choice number one Loris Karius in goal.

Philippe Coutinho injury blow a test for Liverpool, says teammate Divock Origi ahead of League Cup quarter-final

Just how long Coutinho will be sidelined remains uncertain and Klopp said Monday: “The best thing would be for him not to be out, but it is not really likely. We have to wait for the scan and then we will know.

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho has been ruled out until the new year after being injured in the Sunderland match. Photo: AFP

“When you are in the rhythm it is different but we are not in this rhythm. You need to listen to the players and figure out if they are ready or not.”

Leeds, who rivalled Liverpool as one of England’s pre-eminent clubs in the early 1970s, are fifth in the Championship and pushing for promotion back to the Premier League.

Juergen Klopp salutes Liverpool despite Premier League stalemate against Southampton

“It is not allowed to take any risks. It is about having a line-up which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds are in a really good moment,” said Klopp.

Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet will return to the strating line-up for the visit of Leeds on Tuesday night. Photo: Reuters

“They are a football-playing side and they will force us into a lot of things so we need to work hard in these games so the players need to be fit for this.

“We don’t want to rest somebody who doesn’t need a rest. It is possible we make a few changes; it is possible we will play nearly the same team.

“For sure, if nothing happens, Simon (Mignolet) will play,” Klopp added.

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