MK Dons vs Liverpool: How will Carabao Cup tie play out as Jurgen Klopp looks to offer youth a chance

The Reds have now won 15 league matches in a row after prevailing against Chelsea at the weekend

Alice Reeves-Turner

Wednesday 25 September 2019 17:41 BST

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp laughs off Sadio Mane outburst

Jurgen Klopp's side are currently top of the premier league table after winning all six of their matches in the league, but the side have much to prove in the Carabao Cup after being knocked out at the first hurdle by Chelsea last season.

MK Dons have been known to perform in the Carabao Cup, as demonstrated by their 4-0 win over Manchester City in 2014, but coming off the back of two 1-0 home defeats, it is looking unlikely that they will claim a surprise victory over the dominant Reds.

Dons manager Paul Tisdale has said that the Milton Keynes-based side will come out on top regardless of result.

"I'm very relaxed. It's win-win," he said. "I don't feel this game is necessarily season-defining. It's an occasion, it's an opportunity to play and enjoy it and not have the pressure of needing to win in front of 29,000 fans, in your stadium against the European champions... what could possibly go wrong?! Let's just enjoy it. I feel excited but I'm not overly worried about it."

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

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1/24Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

CHELSEA: Asmir Begovic - 6 out of 10

Made several fine stops to deny Liverpool but couldn’t prevent Coutinho’s superb effort from squeezing past him just before the break. Was let down by his defence for the visitors’ two second-half goals.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Kurt Zouma - 5 out of 10

Did well to stop the threat of Lallana and Moreno on the left flank in the first half - putting his body on the line to prevent Lucas’ near-post header from going in - but began to be put under more pressure from Coutinho in the second period and began to struggle at right back.

2015 Catherine Ivill - AMA

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10

Set up Ramires’ opener with a superb cross that came after he had outrun Milner. Had his work cut out with Clyne regularly pushing forwards but defended well enough.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10

Combined well with Terry to protect Begovic and stop the threat of Firmino in the first half but should have done more to close in on Coutinho and Benteke when they went for goal in the second.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Terry - 4 out of 10

The Chelsea captain was back to his best against the Reds with some solid defending in the first half, but then let himself down when he didn’t do enough to stop Coutinho from his getting his shot at goal before allowing Benteke the space and time to fire in Liverpool’s third goal.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Ramires - 7 out of 10

Headed in Chelsea’s opener to give the home side the lead, but was beaten too easily by Coutinho in the build-up to Liverpool’s equaliser and should have done more to close him down.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

John Obi Mikel - 6 out of 10

Helped provide cover for Chelsea’s defence in the first half, but was later brought off after picking up a yellow card.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Oscar - 5 out of 10

Spent the first half largely on the left flank and while he didn’t get involved in Chelsea’s attacking play as much, he did his job at helping to keep Milner at bay while dealing with Clyne’s runs forwards. But the second half saw him struggle to replicate his first-half showing with Liverpool pressing well.

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Willian - 6 out of 10

Was so often the driving force of Chelsea’s attacking play with his pace and tricky runs but had less of an impact in the second period.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Eden Hazard - 4 out of 10

Played largely down the middle and despite a bright start, saw his impact wane and was eventually brought off in the 58th minute for Kenedy.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Diego Costa - 5 out of 10

Was controlled by Skrtel and Sakho throughout the game and rarely proved a threat for the home side. He did well to head the ball off the line in second half but disappointed up front for Chelsea.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Kenedy - 5 out of 10

Within seconds of coming on, he threatened to score but hit his shot into the side netting. Didn't do much else of note

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

LIVERPOOL: Simon Mignolet - 6 out of 10

May feel he could have done more to keep out Ramires’ opener but dealt with the rest of his tests well.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne - 7 out of 10

Was one of Liverpool’s best sources of attacking play in the first half down the right flank, and was unlucky not to have been given a first-half penalty when his shot hit Terry’s arm. Defended well at right-back and was one of Liverpool’s best players on the pitch.

2015 AMA Sports Photo Agency

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Martin Skrtel - 6 out of 10

llowed Azpilicueta to get his shot in to set up Ramires for the opener but, aside from that mistake, was superb to ensure Costa did not prove a threat for the home side.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Mamadou Sakho - 7 out of 10

Like Skrtel, the centre-back used his physical presence to shackle Costa throughout the game.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Alberto Moreno - 7 out of 10

Was outmuscled by Ramires in build-up to opener and will feel he could have done better, but he defended well at left-back while nearly getting a shot at goal in the second half following a fine run forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Lucas Leiva - 7 out of 10

Received a yellow for a challenge on Mikel, but the Brazilian worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to snuff out attacks and try and create some for the visitors. Saw an effort at goal cleared by Begovic.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Emre Can - 6 out of 10

Looked frustrated by not being able to control the game in the first half and found himself escaping a yellow although he eventually got one for pulling back Willian. Despite an up-and-down first period marked by some sloppy passing, the midfielder came out from the break in better form and worked hard to keep a lid on the likes of Hazard and Willian.

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Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

James Milner - 6 out of 10

Should have done more to stop Azpilicueta from getting past him and setting up Ramires for the opening goal, but he grew into the game and began giving Chelsea problems with his forays forwards.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Adam Lallana - 6 out of 10

Tested Begovic with a few shots in the first half with his pace proving crucial in helping the visitors build up attacks from the right flank and also carried out his defensive duties well – making a superb clearance to deny Zouma in the second half.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Philippe Coutinho - 9 out of 10

Scored both of Liverpool’s goals –the first after weaving his way into space and getting past Ramires to net a brilliant solo effort before then scoring the winner in the 73rd minute. Was Liverpool’s star man.

2015 Getty Images

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

Roberto Firmino - 7 out of 10

After a relatively quiet opening period in which he kept dropping deep to try and find the ball, the forward provided the assist for Coutinho’s opener in the dying seconds of the first half. He was brought off for Benteke in the latter stages of the game, but Klopp will see the Brazilian’s showing as positive going forwards.

2015 Liverpool FC

Chelsea vs Liverpool player ratings

From the bench: Christian Benteke - 8 out of 10

Secured the win with his well-taken goal from Ibe’s cross after being brought on as a second-half substitute. Proved the impact change from Klopp.

When is it?

MK Dons vs Liverpool kicks off at 19:45 (BST) on Wednesday 25th September

How can I watch it?

Sky Sports Football will be broadcasting the match

The match can be live streamed on laptops, smartphones and tablets through the Sky Go app.

You can also watch the match through NOW TV.

Roberto Firmino of Liverpool celebrating after scoring (Getty)

Team news

Lijnders revealed on Wednesday that Naby Keita, who had been sidelined due to sustaining a hip strain in the build- up to last month’s Uefa Super Cup victory over Chelsea in Istanbul, could feature in the line-up against MK Dons.

It was also confirmed by Lijnders that Caoimhin Kelleher and Rhian Brewster could make their senior Liverpool debuts against MK Dons.

Xherdan Shaqiri, Sadio Mane, Divock Origi and Alisson Becker will not travel to Milton Keynes. Mane is expected to be back in training on Thursday.

Predicted line-up

Liverpool

Kelleher, Hoever, Gomez, Lovren, Milner, Lallana, Keita, Chamberlain, Jones, Brewster, Elliott.

MK Dons

Nicholls, Poole, Martin, Walsh, Lewington, Williams, Kasamu, Houghton, Gilbey, McGrandles, Nombe

Odds

Liverpool are the favourites for tonight’s match, after recording a 15th consecutive league win when they beat Chelsea on Sunday. Jurgen Klopp’s men are favourites at 2/11 (1.18).

Fans of MK Dons will be hoping to see a similar result tonight as they did five years ago, when the side triumphed over Manchester United with a 4-0 victory. A shock victory is not expected however with odds of 14/1 (15.00).

For a draw you can get odds of 13/2 (7.50).

Prediction

Although the teams have never met, MK Dons have surprised in previous Carabao Cup ties - such as with their 4-0 victory over Manchester City in 2014. But with Liverpool’s winning streak up to 15 matches and MK Dons coming off the back of two 1-0 home defeats, a shock win is looking unlikely for the Milton Keynes-based side.

Despite Klopp being expected to play a weakened side, Liverpool will triumph in tonight’s meeting. The match may not be as easy as expected though, with MK Dons using the match as an opportunity to prove themselves. Nonetheless, we're going for a victory for Liverpool.

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