Federico Chiesa eyes up fresh opportunity as Liverpool star makes injury return

Liverpool steamrollered Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night to set up a League Cup final meeting with Newcastle United next month. Arne Slot made four changes to his side as the Reds ran out 4-0 winners to book their trip to Wembley.

Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal as Alisson Becker was rested, while Conor Bradley started at right-back in place of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones also came into the side at the expense of Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister

In domestic cup action again on Sunday as Liverpool travel to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round, Slot is expected to ring the changes once more - especially with next week’s Merseyside derby away at Everton looming.

With Alexander-Arnold and Tyler Morton both ruled out of facing the Pilgrims through injury, and Slot suggesting he will utilise his fringe players once again after selecting a shadow squad against PSV Eindhoven last month, the ECHO takes a look at the changes the Dutchman could make on Sunday…

Joe Gomez is yet to make a matchday squad since returning to training following a hamstring injury last month, but he is well-placed to start against Plymouth should Slot rest both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The England international could captain the Reds too, if none of Liverpool’s five-man leadership group are selected to start.

Jarell Quansah will likely partner him at centre-back, with Wataru Endo an alternative if fielded out of his favoured position. Gomez is also an option at right-back if Slot selects the aforementioned pair in the middle, though Conor Bradley is likely to retain his place in the absence of the injured Alexander-Arnold.

Kostas Tsimikas will likely come in at left-back in place of Andy Robertson, but it is perhaps unclear who will start in goal. Having been rested altogether against Tottenham, it remains to be seen if Alisson will return or be afforded another night against Plymouth and instead be held back for the Merseyside derby.

Chance for Chiesa

Having completed 90 minutes against PSV last month, Federico Chiesa could be granted another chance to start on the right with Mohamed Salah set to be rested.

Diogo Jota could start upfront after recently returning from injury, after making his comeback following his latest lay-off against Tottenham as a substitute. If not, Darwin Nunez could keep his place after impressing against Spurs.