Talking Tactics: Reds' fringe players can seize chance in cup final

Liverpool have had to utilise their full squad in recent weeks.

With injury problems and a busy fixture list, Jurgen Klopp has turned towards fringe players and youngsters.

And some previously peripheral figures could play a significant role for the Reds in their hunt for trophies this season.

Ahead of this afternoon's Carabao Cup final, we look at the bit-part players who could become key figures against Chelsea at Wembley.

Opportunity knocks

Liverpool cannot use their injury problems as an excuse, given Chelsea also have their fair share of absentees.

Nonetheless, the loss of Diogo Jota to a serious knee injury at Brentford last weekend was a blow while Darwin Nunez was also forced off at half-time.

The latter remains a doubt, as does talisman Mohamed Salah, who made his return from injury in the win over the Bees.

Klopp has remained coy around their potential involvement at Wembley — but Liverpool will definitely be without Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones and Joel Matip.

That means there will be opportunities for others to impress on the big stage.

Harvey Elliott, who has made the bulk of his Premier League appearances as a substitute, will likely start.

And there could be a chance for Dutch duo Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo to make a significant impact.

Strength in depth

Klopp's team selection in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Luton hinted at the potential line-up for today's final.

Luis Diaz — the only available member of Liverpool's usual attacking quartet — scored and looked very much the senior figure up front.

Gakpo also found the net and he will be confident of adding to his four Carabao Cup goals this season.

Elliott was on the scoresheet too, as he made a convincing case to start more often.

The 20-year-old created more chances (eight) and completed more passes into the final third (19) than any other player on the pitch.

Conor Bradley's emergence at right-back has also given Liverpool a major boost and softened the blow of Alexander-Arnold's injury.

Klopp's men have more than enough quality — even among their fringe players — to give Chelsea a difficult afternoon.

Trust in youth

Opportunities for youngsters have been more frequent of late, with teenagers Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns all featuring from the bench against Luton.

Whether they will be involved today remains to be seen — but there is undoubtedly an obvious pathway for exciting youth prospects at Liverpool.

Klopp said: "Two years ago when we won both [the FA Cup and Carabao Cup], it's really special. You cannot go to the final if you don't use the boys. It's not possible.

"We arrived here and played all the competitions. The first season we had 63, 64 games. So all these young kids started immediately and we qualified for two finals.

"The outstanding ones, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] coming through, Curtis [Jones] coming through, Conor [Bradley], Jarell [Quansah], Caoimhin [Kelleher]. 

"That's wonderful now that we can have a decent team with these kids and we can win football games with it. That's really pleasing."

Klopp has repeatedly proved himself an expert at effectively using his full squad — and it would be no surprise to see a lesser-known name grab the headlines in the Carabao Cup final.