Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 7y

Danny Ward, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Marko Grujic to start for Liverpool

LIVERPOOL -- Danny Ward, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Marko Grujic will all start in Liverpool's trip to Leicester City in the Carabao Cup, manager Jurgen Klopp has said.

Liverpool travel to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night to take on Craig Shakespeare's side in the third round of the competition.

Wales goalkeeper Ward, 24, is in line to make his first start of the season after he returned to Anfield this summer from his successful loan spell at Huddersfield Town.

When asked at his prematch news conference whether he would start Ward in midweek, Klopp joked: "I would love to but I'm not sure the world is ready for such a crazy decision.

"The third goalkeeper in one season without an injury -- we can't do it! No, of course Danny Ward will play tomorrow if nothing happens overnight."

Oxlade-Chamberlain is also in line to make his first start since his £40 million transfer from Arsenal in the summer.

The 24-year-old has appeared as substitute on two occasions for his new club so far, but is likely to named in the same starting XI as 21-year-old Grujic.

"We have a lot of players who are actually in good shape but haven't had match starts so far," Klopp said. "For instance, Marko Grujic made a big step in his development but no one can see it yet, so it's really good to give him the opportunity. [He is] still a young boy and stuff like this.

"And there are a few others. It's a fantastic opportunity now for Alex. Since he's been here it's been difficult to train on different things because it's game after game after game.

"We sit together with him and the analysts to show him how we want him to play in this position or that position. It's worked, too, but there's no rush. It's really good that he's here.

"Already on the weekend he came on in a difficult situation, there was pressure and we tried to do something without giving up too many opportunities. We took a lot of risks in this game and he was involved in it and did really well.

"You already have two -- no, three with the goalkeeper -- of tomorrow's lineup so that's it now!"

Despite already confirming there will be a number of changes to the team that drew with Burnley on the weekend, Klopp insists he is taking the competition seriously.

"It's the only competition we play tomorrow night, so the focus is on that game," he said. "It's a big competition. I don't care how people see it. As long as we can line up strong, we will line up strong.

"It's a good moment. Of course, it's a little bit strange that we play Leicester again on the weekend. But I'm sure both sides will make a few changes. That makes sense for the players.

"It's not to go in with a weakened side in this competition, only to bring in fresh legs and give a few other players the opportunity to play football, with a clear plan to win the game."

Meanwhile, Klopp says Adam Lallana (thigh) and Nathaniel Clyne (back) have both made encouraging steps in their recovery from long-term injury.

"Clyney had the third or fourth run outside yesterday, not the highest intensity but a big step and he coped well so far with this," the Liverpool manager said.

"Adam is close to going outside and running. For the next step, I'll give you another update in the next press conference!"

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