Jürgen Klopp on three debutants and Naby Keita fitness
Jürgen Klopp is excited to see Liverpool's three new debutants in action during tonight's Carabao Cup tie with Milton Keynes Dons.
Rhian Brewster, Harvey Elliott and Caoimhin Kelleher make their first senior appearances for the Reds in the third-round clash at Stadium MK.
Asked about their pre-match feelings and his thinking behind the line-up, Klopp told Sky Sports: “Not at all nervous. [They are] really excited and really looking forward to it.
“The boys did brilliant. We had to decide things like this long ago. Of course, Divock Origi would have been involved, Xherdan Shaqiri would have been involved, Nathaniel Clyne would have been involved.
“But when you don’t have these guys available, it was always clear and always the plan to do it with the young boys. These are our prospects, our talents.
“We have come here to win the game and for nothing else – but we have to do it this way, with this line-up. I’m really excited, the boys did really good in training and looked good. But, of course, it will be [a] difficult [game] tonight.”
Naby Keita also makes his return from injury against MK Dons after being sidelined since mid-August.
On how long the Liverpool No.8 could feature for, Klopp added: “Not decided yet. He looked outstandingly good in training, so hopefully we have not to make [a decision].
“We have the boys there; we have Pedro Chirivella who can play in midfield, Herbie Kane, Luis Longstaff can play in midfield. We will see how long Naby is able to play. But it’s more important how we start and continue, not how we finish.”