Danny Ward will make his first start of the season when Liverpool face Leicester as Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will be his goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool’s manager has created a system this season where, for the time being, Simon Mignolet will be between the posts for Premier League games and Loris Karius will take over the gloves for Champions League matches.
But he has also been determined for Ward to get game time, after he refused to let the Wales international rejoin Huddersfield on a season-long loan. Ward had been one of the stars of their promotion campaign and David Wagner wanted to take him back to the John Smith’s Stadium.
Danny Ward will be handed his first start for Liverpool against Leicester City on Tuesday
Ward helped Huddersfield Town to promotion to the Premier League last season
Klopp, though, is a fan of Ward and he will give him a competitive debut at The KingPower Stadium in the third round tie; he will be one of several changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Burnley on Saturday, with Marko Grujic, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke all expected to play.
Klopp, whose side reached the League Cup semi-finals last season, said: ‘I’m not sure the world is ready for such a crazy decision! But, yes, Danny Ward will play tomorrow if nothing happens overnight.
‘Marko Grujic has made a big step in his development. A fantastic opportunity for Alex. We have enough games where we can get rhythm.
‘Solanke? He is exciting. Really exciting. He takes the minutes, each one as an opportunity. He is a wonderful kid. He is full of joy and quality.’
Dominic Solanke is among the fringe players who could be handed a start at the King Power
Jurgen Klopp is keen to take the competition seriously but he will offer others a chance to play
Asked where the League Cup ranked in importance for the season, Klopp replied: ‘It is the same as every year. 100 per cent focus on the game. It is a big competition I don’t know how (other) people see it. As long as can line up strong we will have strong line-ups. I’m sure there will be a few changes, it makes sense to have fresh legs and give players an opportunity to play football and to win the game.’
The past week has tested Klopp’s patience with Liverpool following a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City with frustrating home draws to Sevilla and Burnley.
The last match, in particular, was played in a tense atmosphere but Klopp insists there is no added scrutiny on him and is paying no attention to the brisk start that some of his rivals have made.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is set to make his first Liverpool start after three sub appearances
Philippe Coutinho is another player looking to build up his match fitness as is Marko Grujic
‘I’m not sure if there is pressure on us,’ said Klopp. ‘I feel the chance to do something very good. I see the chance to win an very, very interesting cup competition. There is pressure but it is not more than the pressure I put on myself. City and United are obviously in a good shape, a good moment.
‘But as long as you are greedy to improve yourself you can ignore it. I have no interest in other teams. It will be the same names in different positions. If I am disappointed or frustrated then I will say it. If I want to build on the good things, I will do it.’
He added: ‘I am not overly happy with our situation but I know why it is. You have to score. I know that. You have to avoid goals of the opponents. I can only work with the boys and that is what we do. We are strong but that means we need to deliver.
‘If you look at the 125-year history, everyone knows when it was better. That is part of the problem. I can see the good things and the bad things. It is just like it is.’