Danny Ward to Start for Liverpool Against Leicester City

With Simon Mignolet first choice in the league and Loris Karius the pick to start in the Champions League, Liverpool have already shown a willingness to rotate their goalkeepers this season. They’ll take things a step further on Tuesday when they face Leicester City in the League Cup.

After some speculation that it could be set to happen, Jürgen Klopp has today confirmed that Danny Ward will be handed League Cup duties. Liverpool’s third choice ‘keeper, who had a hugely successful season on loan with Huddersfield last year, will get his chance on Tuesday evening.

Despite how unusual a decision it might seem—handing a third-string shot stopper domestic cup duties—in Liverpool’s case it seems obvious and necessary given Klopp blocked the permanent sale of Ward to Huddersfield over the summer. It’s clear the Liverpool manager rates the 24-year-old.

It’s also clear, perhaps, that Klopp still isn’t entirely sure who his long-term ‘keeper of choice at Liverpool should be. It will be Mignolet this season, but with Ward’s departure blocked and Karius being handed Champions League duties, longer term that would still seem to be up in the air.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Dominic Solanke are also expected to start, amongst other changes, after the manager highlighted them as two players who haven’t started yet at Liverpool but who have impressed him in training and substitute appearances.