Evening Standard
·24 September 2024
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·24 September 2024
Reds looking to defend Jurgen Klopp’s final trophy
Liverpool begin their defence of the Carabao Cup at home to West Ham this week.
Last year’s success proved the final trophy under Jurgen Klopp after a youthful Reds side beat Chelsea at Wembley in memorable fashion.
The club have made something of a habit of winning domestic cups in recent years and it will be fascinating to see if new manager Arne Slot can continue that trend.
Julen Lopetegui, meanwhile, has built most of his reputation from success in knockout competition and would no doubt love a deep cup run in his first season as Hammers boss.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game.
Liverpool vs West Ham is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off time on Wednesday 25 September, 2024.
Anfield in Liverpool will host.
Nick Potts/PA Wire
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Sky Go app.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Liverpool will be without Harvey Elliott and goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who missed the win over Bournemouth with a muscle injury and is racing to be fit to face Wolves at the weekend. In any case, Caoimhin Kelleher would likely have played in this domestic cup competition.
Summer signing Federico Chiesa should be given a first start, while the likes of Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah should line up at centre-back.
West Ham and new manager Julen Lopetegui are in desperate need of a win, with Niclas Fullkrug now back in training.
Guido Rodriguez suffered the ignominy of a first-half substitution in the loss to Chelsea, so his chances of facing Liverpool are limited with Tomas Soucek available. Carlos Soler, Jean-Clair Todibo and Michail Antonio should all also come in, while Lukasz Fabianski gets the nod in goal.
Julen Lopetegui needs a win
AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool have to be favourites, albeit it is hardly an ideal first game for them either.
Liverpool to win, 2-1.
Liverpool wins: 83
Draws: 39
West Ham wins: 29
Liverpool to advance: 3/10
West Ham to advance: 8/1
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.