Exeter City vs Liverpool: What side can Jurgen Klopp pick after being handed 13-man injury list?

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side have travelled to Exeter City for their FA Cup third-round clash with a few absentees. Thirteen to be exact. The inexplicable wave of injuries has claimed Jordon Ibe, Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure, Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Rossiter and Daniel Sturridge. Jon Flanagan is still working towards full-match fitness after a lengthy period on the sidelines with Danny Ings and Joe Gomez also long-term absentees.

With his first-team squad decimated, the Merseyside club have had no option but to recall some of their youngsters from their respective loans spells across the Football League. Liverpool also travel to Arsenal for a crucial Premier League clash on 13 January with Manchester United to follow four days later. Those huge games come off the back of a brutal run of fixtures during the festive period.

Klopp has already warned everyone to expect a different side. "None of those players who played the last five or six games in a row will play. That is not possible," he told the press on 7 January.

We can expect an experimental line up at St James Park to say the least. IBTimes UK considers what Klopp's starting XI could be.

Goalkeeper: Adam Bogdan

Goalkeeper is the only position where Klopp has a bit of freedom in who he can choose. Adam Bogdan was selected for the club's League Cup games up to the semi-final first leg meeting against Stoke City on 5 January where Simon Mignolet returned. But given Klopp's promise over resting his key players, the former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper is likely to return.

Right-back: Connor Randall

Nathaniel Clyne has been ever-present in the Liverpool starting XI this season, beginning and ending all 20 Premier League games to date. A rest is due. Klopp has turned to 20-year-old Connor Randall to fill in during League Cup matches this term, so expect him to do the same this evening.

Centre-half: Tiago Ilori

Ilori is in line to make his Reds debut tonight two-and-a-half years on from joining the club. And 12 hours before Friday's kick off, Liverpool recalled the Portugal Under-21 international from his loan spell at Aston Villa, where he did not play a single minute of first-team football under either Tim Sherwood or Remi Garde.

Centre-half: Jose Enrique

Yes, he's still there. Frozen out under Brendan Rodgers, the experienced Spanish full-back is likely to make his first appearance in over a year as a makeshift centre-half with literally no other options at that position available.

Left-back: Brad Smith

According to the Liverpool Echo, Alberto Moreno is one of a host of first teamers who will be rested after the gruelling fixture schedule over the past month. That will make way for 21-year-old Brad Smith to make just his third appearance for the club.

Centre midfield: James Milner

Injury saw James Milner miss the four games in 13 days over Christmas and new year after picking up a calf injury. His last appearance came in the 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion on 13 December but he returned to play 56 minutes in the 1-0 win at Stoke when Lovren was forced off at the Britannia Stadium. With so many fresh faces in the team, Klopp may turn to his vice-captain to lead them.

Centre midfield: Cameron Brannagan

The 19-year-old, captain of the Under-21 side, had his first taste of first-team action under Brendan Rodgers in September 2015 away to Bordeaux and has remained training with the first team since. Energetic midfielder Cameron Brannagan is seemingly a certainty to start given the circumstances.

Attacking midfield: Sheyi Ojo

Recalled from his loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ojo is likely to be asked to provide the pace and thrust missing after Jordon Ibe joined the injury list. The 18-year-old will be making his senior debut if given the nod tonight.

Attacking midfield: João Carlos Teixeira

The Portuguese playmaker had a pivotal role to play in helping Klopp secure his first win as Liverpool manager, with his clever back heel setting up Nathaniel Clyne to secure a winning goal against Bournemouth in the League Cup. With Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino likely to be rested with greater tests ahead, the 20-year-old will have another chance to shine.

Attacking midfield: Ryan Kent

Having been involved in the club's pre-season campaign in the Far East, Kent is another to have been recalled to Merseyside this past week, leaving Coventry City to return to provide is parent club with another option in attack. He is another in line for a senior debut.

Striker: Christian Benteke

The Belgium international was rested in the victory over Stoke City and in the absence of Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi, he is the club's only established option available up front.

Notable names on the bench

Kevin Stewart was another to be recalled to Anfield just in time to be registered for tonight's game. The 22-year-old has not played since September, though, after suffering a medial ligament injury while at Swindon Town. Jerome Sinclair will offer an option up front but he has not endeared himself to the club having refused to sign a new contract, according to the Daily Mail.