Liverpool vs Chelsea FC - Mignolet set for season debut against Chelsea

Posted Wednesday, September 26, 2018 by PA

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will make his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round clash with Chelsea at Anfield.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who says he will name a “really strong side”, has confirmed Alisson Becker will rest while Mignolet starts the tie, which comes three days before the clubs meet again in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.

Dejan Lovren, having recovered from injury, could join Mignolet in getting a first run out of 2018-19, but it looks unlikely Adam Lallana (groin) will be involved.

Defender Virgil van Dijk is being monitored after coming off in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Southampton due to a rib issue.

Chelsea must make changes as Antonio Rudiger, Pedro and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are absent.

Defender Rudiger suffered a groin injury at West Ham on Sunday, a game Pedro missed due to a shoulder problem sustained at PAOK last Thursday.

Midfielder Loftus-Cheek misses out due to a foot problem and with Liverpool visiting Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday, Maurizio Sarri may rotate his players.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero, Cesc Fabregas, Davide Zappacosta, Victor Moses, Gary Cahill and Ross Barkley are all hoping to feature.