Danny Ings and Marko Grujic could be handed first-team call up for Tottenham clash

Jurgen Klopp is likely to rest a number of regular first-team players for Liverpool's clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday (25 October). The German coach could hand the fringe players like Danny Ings, Ragnar Klavan and Marko Grujic an opportunity to impress when the north London club visit Anfield.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the former Burnley striker, who has been playing regularly for the Reds U23 side in Premier League 2, was left out of the squad for the reserves clash against Everton U23 and trained with the first-team on Sunday (23 October). He has shown impressive form with the reserves – scoring four goals in three appearances – but has been limited to just one appearance with the first-team thus far.

Klopp is a big admirer of the England U21 international, but is being cautious about rushing his return owing to his lengthy spell on the sidelines last season with a cruciate ligament injury. Apart from Ings, Serbian midfielder Grujic is also expected to make the squad for the game against Spurs on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old former Red Star Belgrade forward has also been restricted to just one appearance thus far, but is likely to come into the much changed first-team squad for the EFL Cup clash. A number of other reserve players were also left out of Liverpool's U23 squad for the clash against Everton on Sunday (23 October).

The other first-team stars that could make a return to the starting XI are Lucas Leiva, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Simon Mignolet and Alberto Moreno. The quintet have found game difficult to come by in recent weeks with Klopp sticking to the same XI that have started the season in fine fashion, which sees the Reds level on points with league leaders Manchester City.