Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he does respect the FA Cup but his priority has to be the well-being of his players.
Klopp has only 12 fit senior outfield players plus new signing Takumi Minamino, who is set for his debut, for Sunday’s Merseyside derby third round tie at home to Everton .
It leaves him with few options to rest players but such has been the workload on them he does not know which will be available to him at the weekend.
Adrian is set to start between the sticks in one of several changes by Klopp as Alisson is given a day off.
Nat Phillips could feature in defence after being recalled from his loan spell at Stuttgart, while Harvey Elliott is likely to be handed another chance to impress.
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“People have told me already I wouldn’t respect the cup. It’s not true. But my first job is to respect the players,” said Klopp.
“I’ve got to decide if it’s allowed to play them again. It looks like federations around want to make it more tricky.
“How can you look at a situation like Newcastle – losing four players in one game – and not think ‘This is crazy’.”
Meanwhile, Klopp is good enough friends with Carlo Ancelotti to consider inviting him to a party at his house but would not do so because of the difficulty it may cause the new Everton boss.
“We used to be (good friends),” Klopp joked. “We didn’t see each other a lot, it is strange that we both feel like this, we’ve met around games and meetings as managers.
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“When he came here I thought ‘If I had a party could I invite the Everton manager as he lives just around the corner?’.
“I am not sure where he lives but the house next to me is free and that would be really funny (if he moved in).
“I only want to bring him difficulties on the pitch and we always respect each other.”
Liverpool likely XI:
Adrian; Milner, Van Dijk, Phillips, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Lallana; Minamino, Origi, Elliott
