MK Dons v Liverpool: Team news
Naby Keita is set to make his return from injury in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup third-round tie with MK Dons.
Midfielder Keita has been sidelined since sustaining a hip strain in the build-up to last month’s UEFA Super Cup victory over Chelsea in Istanbul, but Pepijn Lijnders revealed on Wednesday that the No.8 could feature against the League One club.
“Yes [Keita may return]. I will not give the team but he is in a really good way… he is an important player, so hopefully we can use him in the next weeks and hopefully tomorrow will be a day where he can shine,” the Reds’ assistant manager said.
Xherdan Shaqiri, however, has been ruled out of the trip to Stadium MK.
“Yesterday [Tuesday], towards the end of training, Shaq felt his calf stiffen up a little bit,” Lijnders told Liverpoolfc.com.
“He couldn’t continue and a scan showed he had a little tear there. We need to wait a couple of days, but for sure he is not in contention for tomorrow. He needs some rest, so he will not be involved.”
Sadio Mane will also not travel to Milton Keynes, with the No.10 expected to be back in training on Thursday following the knock and dead leg he picked up in the weekend win at Stamford Bridge.
Divock Origi (ankle) and Alisson Becker (calf) remain unavailable, but Lijnders confirmed that Rhian Brewster and Caoimhin Kelleher are in contention to make their senior Liverpool debuts.
The Dutchman continued: “Of course, we want to use our squad. From the outside we say ‘squad’, from the inside we say ‘team’, so it's a chance for a few players who didn’t play [in] the last weeks 90 minutes who can start the game.”
MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale, meanwhile, admitted that picking his side for the tie represents his 'biggest pressure' due to the fact every member of his squad is so eager to play against the European champions.
“The biggest pressure for me is the team selection,” Tisdale said.
“It's personal because that's how I manage. I love all the boys because they're like my second family. I want them all to do really well but I have to pick a team.
“When you get a game like this, I can only pick 11. Some will be really disappointed. It's only one game, and I’m sure they'll be disappointed if they're not picked against Sunderland too, but this is the one they all want to play in. Of all the pressures I have, that's the biggest.”
Last time out
MK Dons 0-1 Southend United (September 21): Nicholls, Poole, Martin, Walsh, Brittain, Lewington, Kasumu, McGrandles, Houghton, Boateng, Nombe.
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool (September 22): Adrian, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Salah, Firmino.