Reds face MK Dons in potential third round banana skin

A rampant Liverpool side travel to Stadium MK for the first time in their history on Wednesday night.

And the League One outfit will look to deny Liverpool a place in the Carabao Cup Fourth Round for the third successive year, after the Reds have lost out to Leicester and Chelsea in the last two outings at this stage of the competition.

Obviously this will be a huge upset if it does happen to occur, and Klopp’s men will look to continue their league form into the cup competitions.

Team news

After a tiring week travelling to Naples and grinding out a tough win at Stamford Bridge, Jurgen Klopp will certainly look to rotate when facing Paul Tisdale’s Dons. It gives an opportunity to youngsters Rhian Brewster, Caoimhin Kelleher and Harvey Elliott to get in on the act, alongside returns of Naby Keita and Divock Origi which could be on the cards.

After fading to successive home defeats against Southend United on Saturday, MK Dons also aren’t charmed with health as five first team players, including 2012 League Cup finalist goalscorer Joe Mason for Cardiff, ironically against Wednesday’s opponents.

Tisdale’s Time comes again

The Dons’ manager has actually met Liverpool thrice before, all in cup competitions and twice against Jurgen Klopp with his former side Exeter. His side came out in a 2-2 draw back in 2016 and were winning for a long period until Australian full back Brad Smith grabbed his first and only goal for Liverpool in the dying moments of the match.

“I don’t feel able to predict the Liverpool team. I don’t think we can dig into our usual preparations, so it will come down to some simple preparation discussion and details, and ask the players to play beyond their normal game but asking ‘what is there to worry about?

We need to enjoy it. As a manager, you tell them to have no regrets. Don’t be nervous, or worried about making a mistake.”

Expected line-ups

MK DONS – Nicholls; Lewington, Walsh, Martin, Williams; Brittain, Gilbey, Houghton, Harley; Nombe, Bowery

LIVERPOOL – Kelleher; Hoever, Lovren, Gomez, Lewis; Lallana, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Shaqiri, Brewster, Elliott

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