Slot set to utilise squad depth v West Ham United in EFL Cup clash

Liverpool FC begin the defence of their EFL Cup title against West Ham United on Wednesday, and Arne Slot could make changes from the side that beat AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

It’s the middle of a busy period for Arne Slot and his Liverpool FC, and the club’s head coach says he will look to his entire squad for options ahead of the EFL Cup third round clash against West Ham United at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The game is the club’s fourth of seven inside 22 days and Slot is more than aware that some of his busier stars may need a rest after Saturday’s impressive 3-0 home win over AFC Bournemouth.

“We will play with the best possible team and that can sometimes also mean that other players that have played a lot are maybe a bit more tired,” Slot told the press on Tuesday morning.

“So that means because the differences are so small, that I will select different players for this game.

“They will come in today and we will look at how fit they are, and then I will make the decision who is going to start and who isn’t.”

Slot was asked about the possibility of Federico Chiesa making his first start for the club he joined in the summer.

“He is able to start, in our opinion, and if he will, let’s see. There are many options we have,” Slot added of the Italian forward.

“But he is able to start, in our opinion, but I don’t think he is able to play 90 at the level we are playing tomorrow against a strong West Ham team.”

One player who definitely will be in action against Julen Lopetegui’s side is Caoimhín Kelleher, who cemented his reputation as the best back-up keeper in the Premier League with a stellar display against the Cherries in Alisson’s absence.

While Alisson may return to the side at the weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, Kelleher’s form means that fans of the club can rest easy when their No.1 misses out through injury.

“The chances are few and far between sometimes so obviously I need to come in and do well,” Irish international Kelleher said after the Bournemouth game.

“I’m happy to make some saves and the most important thing is the clean sheet, so I’m happy with that.”

Chiesa, meanwhile, spoke about what it means to make his Premier League debut at Anfield at the weekend.

Having joined from Juventus in the last days of the transfer window, the 26-year-old is still settling in to life on Merseyside, but he was unable to contain his excitement at coming on against Andoni Iraola’s men.

“Hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone for the first time from the bench, it was amazing,” enthused Chiesa.

“It was amazing also against Nottingham Forest, but unfortunately we lost, but today was really amazing. I enjoyed every bit of it.

“I think I played seven minutes in Milan, I played not too much, but I was very, very happy to make my debut in Milan and today I just had to be ready and when the coach told me to get in the game I was so happy and so relieved because I wanted to play here at Anfield.”

Chiesa feels ready to play a more prominent role against the Hammers.

“Yes, I am. I am training for that, I’m training harder, faster, I’m training to be ready to play, but this depends on the coach and when he wants me to play and put me in, I just have to be ready and play.”

Finally, new signing Olivia Smith is delighted to be part of an exciting LFC Women side who began their Barclays Women’s Super League season with a 1-1 draw against Leicester City at St Helens Stadium on Sunday.

Smith, who joined from Sporting CP in the summer, made her debut for Matt Beard’s team and excited the home fans with some fantastic touches and dribbles.

Afterwards, the 20-year-old stressed the importance of strong support from the stands as LFC Women go for glory,

“[The fans’] support means everything,” she said.

“Going into a long, tough season, they are going to be the rock for us. Our fans are amazing and I’m really looking forward to the future games, seeing more fans come out.

“We need more noise and that’s very important the team gets it. We are a very talented team and responding to the fans shouldn’t be a problem for us. So, I’m just very excited and looking forward to the season.”