Jurgen Klopp must have known that if he was going to play a full-strength Liverpool side against Burton Albion, he could be risking a few of his stars.
The German banished any doubts that the Reds wouldn't be taking the competition seriously by putting out an XI worthy if any Premier League game.
In fact, it was more or less the same line-up that will face Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime.
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There could now be one notable absentee in that game, however, after Emre Can was taken off with a nasty-looking injury.
The midfielder didn't actually make contact with a Burton player, but his studs seemed to catch in the turf and he looked to be in considerable pain.
What's particularly concerning is that it looks like the ankle he had problems with last season, so while it could be just a knock, it certainly doesn't look good at the moment.
Klopp was unable to comment on the severity of the injury in the immediate aftermath of the game, but despite the 5-0 scoreline, he could be left regretting his decision to place such unnecessary emphasis on the EFL cup.
Klopp hopeful
"It is the ankle he had problems with last season: we all hope that it is not too serious," the Anfield boss told reporters.
Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino got Liverpool off to the perfect start before Tom Naylor put the ball in his own net to give the Reds a 3-0 lead.
Daniel Sturridge then added a brace to put Klopp's men in cruise control, but as many fans had feared when they saw the line-up, it has come at a cost.
Was Jurgen Klopp to put out a strong team against Burton? Leave a comment below.
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