Manager Jurgen Klopp believes Chelsea are “definitely” the favorites to win Sunday's Carabao Cup final, but says a weakened Liverpool “will be up for the challenge”.
The Premier League bosses were without nine senior players for Wednesday's match. 4-1 win against Luton At Anfield.
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Thiago, Dominik Szoboszlai, Joel Matip, Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez were unavailable.
Liverpool will face Chelsea in Sunday's final at Wembley.
“We have to see [who will be fit for the final]but I said it before the game. [against Luton] As long as we have 11 players, that's what we're going to aim for,” Klopp said.
“Will we be heavy favorites? Absolutely not.
“Since we [last] played them [Chelsea], they are much improved, but it will be difficult. Tonight was special. ”
Klopp confirmed before his meeting with Luton that Jota will be out for “several months” with a knee injury, while Jones has suffered a bony ligament injury and Alisson will be sidelined with a muscular problem.
Alexander-Arnold, Szoboszlai and Thiago are all out with long-term injuries, but Klopp remains tight-lipped on whether Salah and Nunez will be available on Sunday.
Nunez was sent off at half-time in Saturday's win over Brentford, while Salah, who returned from injury sustained in the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and came on as a substitute and scored, was not included in the match-day squad against Luton. It was removed. .
Young people step up too
With Luton's visit preventing him from starting regularly, Klopp has had to rely on his squad's depth as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Manager Klopp fielded a starting lineup with an average age of 25 years and 68 days old, the club's youngest since February 2018, but there were five players under the age of 19 on Liverpool's bench, and a 16-year-old came on as a substitute. They included midfielder Trey Nyoni.
Jaden Duns, 18, the son of former Crystal Palace midfielder Neil, made his first-team debut off the bench in the 89th minute, and his threaded ball eventually fell to Harvey Elliott, Liverpool's He contributed to the fourth goal.
“Then the kids came and did a great job. It's amazing how the culture has educated the next generation,” Klopp said.
“Obviously it's not perfect. Like I said before, if Joel Matip hadn't been injured, how many games would Jarrell Quansah have played?”
“Quansah has stepped up, and so has Connor.” [Bradley] and bobby [Clark], James McConnell. Our young players have grown a lot. ”
Elliott brings style to the century
It was a special night for the 20-year-old Elliott, whose 90th-minute goal was his 100th goal in all competitions this season, making his 100th appearance for Liverpool.
The midfielder is Joins the Reds from Fulham The 16-year-old was one of the senior players against Luton and was vital in helping his side move four points clear at the top of the table.
He attempted five shots during the game, the most ever in a single Premier League game, while creating more chances than anyone else on the pitch (seven) and creating more chances inside the opposition box than anyone else on the pitch. He also had 17 more touches.
Elliott, who leads the league in terms of completed passes in the final third (27), has scored two goals in 22 appearances in the Premier League this season, surpassing his one-goal record from last season.
Liverpool believe…
Some of the things Klopp's last season as manager Liverpool remain in contention for four more trophies, adding to the six they have won since joining in 2015.
Their determination is clear. They have recovered 22 points from defeat in the Premier League this season, more than any other team.
“The boys did extremely well. [it was] One of the best [games] I watched us play and it was a lot of fun,” said Klopp.
“It's all about the players. They gave themselves a chance. Nobody needed that lesson tonight, but if the crowd believes, this club can do something special.”
A key element of the season was Liverpool's ability to share goals – Salah (19), Jota (14) and Nunez – the fifth player in Europe's top five leagues to score 10 or more goals across all competitions. It was the first club with people. (13), Kodi Gakpo (11), Luis Diaz (10).
Klopp may not be able to call up all of them this weekend, but Gakpo and Dias, who were on the scoresheet against Luton, could play a role.