Jurgen Klopp’s gameplan heading into Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea was tested just minutes before kick-off after the Liverpool boss was forced to withdraw Thiago Alcantara due to injury.
Thiago, who was spotted in tears as his team-mates came out of the Wembley tunnel, was named in Klopp’s starting XI, where the Reds sought a first League Cup victory since 2012.
The Brazilian was set to play in a midfield three alongside Jordan Henderson and compatriot Fabinho.
But Klopp had to make a swift alteration to his line-up, drafting in Naby Keita instead.
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The switch also meant reserve Harvey Elliot was promoted to the substitutes bench. Thiago, 30, was consoled on the Liverpool bench by substitute goalkeeper Alisson.
“It massively changes things. That’s a huge blow,” said Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
“The partnership between Thiago and Fabinho – the record has been fantastic. In the last game at Stamford Bridge, that was the one area where Chelsea really dominated Liverpool in the centre.
“But I felt that with Thiago and Fabinho there, and Jordan Henderson coming back in, they would certainly have matched [Chelsea]. It’s a blow for Liverpool.”
Klopp opted for his regular 4-3-3 set-up against the Blues at Wembley, with Sadio Mane leading the line and Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz off the main man.
Keita came in on the left for Thiago, with Liverpool’s regular left-back Andrew Robertson supporting him down the flank.
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