Town boss Kieran McKenna hands Jaden Philogene his full Blues debut as he makes five changes to his team for this afternoon’s game at Liverpool.

Philogene, who signed from Aston Villa earlier in the month and came on as a sub against Manchester City, comes in for Jack Clarke, who is left out of the 20-man squad, but is fit, alongside Omari Hutchinson behind central striker Liam Delap.

In central midfield, skipper Sam Morsy is joined by Kalvin Phillips with Jens Cajuste rested and out of the squad due to his recent heavy workload with the club continuing to manage his knee.

Wes Burns replaces Ben Johnson wide on the right with Leif Davis on the left, while Axel Tuanzebe makes his first start since suffering a hamstring injury at Nottingham Forest at the end of November on the right of the defence with Ben Godfrey among the subs.

Dara O’Shea continues in the middle with Jacob Greaves coming in for Cameron Burgess, who is left out of the 20. Julio Enciso is on the bench having joined on loan from Brighton.

Liverpool also make five changes from the team which beat Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Ibrahima Konate, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Trent Alexander-Arnold all return to the XI, with Curtis Jones missing out having picked up a knock.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk (c), Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Alister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz. Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Elliott, Tsimikas, Danns, Quansah, Bradley.

Town: Walton, Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Davis, Morsy (c), Phillips, Burns, Hutchinson, Jaden, Delap. Subs: Muric, Johnson, Townsend, Godfrey, Taylor, Luongo, Enciso, Broadhead, Hirst. Referee: Michael Salisbury (Preston). VAR: Paul Tierney.

Photo: ITFC/Matchday Images

ImAbeliever added 14:38 - Jan 25 1-1
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ImAbeliever added 14:40 - Jan 25 Good to see Axel starting and Jaden P. COYB
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TimmyH added 14:42 - Jan 25 No surprise that Philogene gets a first start and Tuanzebe comes into the RB position now he's fit. Would be good to have a settled defence without many changes week in week out, bit surprised Burns has come back in again.
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GSH71 added 14:50 - Jan 25 I’m surprised j Clarike it’s in the subs , he will want to move on if not getting in the side , shame
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Leejames99 added 14:55 - Jan 25 I'm totally shocked, with the squad we have Morsy and Burns are in the team let alone the squad, no Cajuste, no Clarke, Enciso on bench, Burns gets in over Godfery, he is definately Mckennas pet. Oh well let's see what happenes, always support whoever is wearing the shirt. COYB
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Leejames99 added 15:20 - Jan 25 I dont care getting marked down, another goal down to Morsy not marking, just runs around pointing and Burns ...I'm lost for words how he gets in team but its just my opinion
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Leejames99 added 15:28 - Jan 25 Obviously hope Burns is okay he has been a brilliant player to get us here obviously, wouldn't wish an injury on anyone.
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ImAbeliever added 15:39 - Jan 25 I’ll settle for 2-2
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blueboy1981 added 16:16 - Jan 25 Some more strange Team Selection once again, whatever anyone says or thinks ! It seems half the Team is rotated every week - is it any wonder we struggle as we are, and do ? Players never get to know each others game, strengths, or whatever. This is not progress - in fact overall we are going backwards. Although, we are not allowed to say such on here - 9 Goals conceded, thus far, in around 140 minutes, against ANY Teams in the same League without reply - is NOT progress with over half the Season gone ! Mark me down usuals - Truth not being acceptable to you, as we know.

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Bluewhiteboy added 20:30 - Jan 25 Fully agree, to many changers each game.
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