Liverpool vs. Leeds United: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info for EFL Cup
Liverpool will face Championship side Leeds United in the EFL Cup quarter-finals at Anfield on Tuesday. The Reds are rampant in the Premier League this season but face some injury concerns ahead of this tie.
Most of the issues are in attack, where Reds manager Jurgen Klopp may need to get creative to maintain his side's free-scoring prowess. The German guided Liverpool to the final of this competition last season, only to lose on penalties to Manchester City.
Reaching this season's semi-final stage will demand breaking down a stubborn Leeds side that survived a penalty shootout against Norwich City in the previous round to reach the last eight.
Before a preview, read on for the schedule and viewing details:
Date: Tuesday, November 29
Time: 7:45 p.m. (GMT) / 2:45 p.m. (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 / beIN Sports
Live Stream: Sky Go. beIN Sports Connect.
Preview
Klopp will be sweating on the fitness of three of his most important attacking players. Specifically, the German is likely to be without Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho.
The latter is certain not to feature after sustaining an ankle injury during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, per BBC Sport. Ligament damage is now suspected, according to Goal's Melissa Reddy.
To make matters worse, Firmino also pulled up in the game.
Klopp discussed both players after the match, per James Carroll of the team's official website. On Coutinho, he said: “We have to wait for the scan. What we know in this moment is it is something with the ankle and that’s it, so we all have to wait."
Referring to Firmino, Klopp described a less serious situation: “He is much better than Phil but has pain in the calf.”
Carroll also noted how Sturridge didn't feature against Sunderland due to a calf problem. Of the three attackers nursing injuries, the former Chelsea man was the most likely to start on cup duty.
The England international has the pace and quality as a finisher to torment a Championship defence. Yet Sturridge hasn't always fit in with the inclusive, combination-passing and quick-breaking game Klopp has brought to Merseyside.
It's a style built around the flair, vision and perceptive movement of Coutinho and Firmino. The former's magic will be doubly missed with England international Adam Lallana still out.
Lallana is targeting the Premier League game against Bournemouth on December 4 for his return from a groin problem, per Metro's Coral Barry.
Without Lallana and Coutinho's ingenuity to worry about, Leeds manager Garry Monk will likely look to pack midfield and force Liverpool into a slow buildup.
The ploy occasionally worked well for Monk when he was in charge of Swansea City in the Premier League. He managed to engineer notable wins over Manchester United and Arsenal using similar spoiling tactics.
Klopp would find it easier to counter this approach if he had a few more options for his forward line. However, he's not helped by Danny Ings' ongoing injury woes.
Divock Origi's scoring return against Sunderland will prove timely. The Belgian boasts the power in the air to give Liverpool an obvious outlet if Monk forces the hosts into a more direct game.
Even with key injuries weighing them down, the Reds should still boast enough Premier League quality to overcome a tough Leeds side and reach the final four.
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