Charlie Malam: The winless streak has gone on far too long. Five games, given the fixtures, without victory just isn't good enough and Brendan Rodgers knows that run has to end against Carlisle United on Wednesday night.
The League Two opponents, as the underdogs always are, will be well up for the occasion - but sit in 10th after eight games and even if the Reds rotate and field a second-string side, should not be troubling them at Anfield.
But, this is Liverpool we're talking about, and at the current state they find themselves in - nothing can be taken for granted. With how desperate the Merseyside club are for a victory, this tie should be seen as a welcome way to boost morale.
Whilst I wouldn't exactly field a full strength side, there should certainly be some prominent players who get game-time against the Cumbrians.
Starting at the back, Simon Mignolet was used in the Europa League last week, and so Adam Bogdan should be awarded his competitive debut for the club in goal.
He's more than good enough to play against Carlisle, after doing well for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship over the last few years, and deserves his chance.
This is where it gets interesting, because recently there have been a fair few different starting formations - but again, the 3-4-1-2 would be my pick.
In defence, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure would be my partnership. With Mamadou Sakho looking to have rightly solidified a return to the starting line-up for the more important competitions, and Alberto Moreno likely to keep his place against Aston Villa this coming weekend, it makes sense to use the squad fully - and all of the three players are more than good enough to deal with Carlisle.
The wing-backs, for me, would be Jordon Ibe and perhaps rather strangely, Adam Lallana. Both have so far struggled to carry their pre-season performances into the competitive campaign but are most definitely dangerous enough to pose a threat against fourth-tier opponents and are able enough to do a job defensively and offensively in such roles.
In the centre of midfield, Jordan Rossiter's inclusion is a no brainer. He looked more than comfortable in France last week and after impressing in the same round of the League Cup against Middlesbrough last season, should be used in the centre of the field.
Alongside him, I'd hand Joe Allen his first performance of the season so far. He's back in full training and should be at full fitness to feature, whilst Emre Can, Lucas Leiva and James Milner should all be saved for starting places against Villa on the weekend.
In the attacking midfield role ahead of the two central midfielders, Roberto Firmino should be afforded his opportunity to finally play in his favoured role. The Brazilian has largely been played out of position, usually on the wings, so far but deserves a chance to revel in the role he thrived in for Hoffenheim.
Up front, Danny Ings should be given a start, with Divock Origi partnering him. After Daniel Sturridge made his return against Norwich, you would suspect he will keep his place alongside Christian Benteke as he continues to build his fitness - meaning the two back-up strikers, so to speak, should start from the off and be given the chance to continue impressing.
Furthermore, I'd really like to see Joao Carlos Teixeira afforded a place on the bench. He wasn't included in the Europa League squad, which suggests his days are numbered - the same of which could be said for Suso this time last year, but there's still some hope that the Portuguese can make it on L4 - particularly after how well he did on loan at Brighton last season. The inclusions of Pedro Chirivella, Cameron Brannagan and perhaps even Jerome Sinclair wouldn't particularly go amiss either.
Charlie's XI - Carlisle (3-4-1-2): Bogdan; Gomez, Lovren, Toure; Ibe, Rossiter, Allen, Lallana; Firmino; Ings, Origi.
Ollie Emmerson: A must win game for Brendan Rodgers, most probably. If Liverpool fail to progress in the League Cup against Carlisle, the pressure will tighten on him like it did to Roy Hodgson when Liverpool were knocked out by Northampton Town all those years ago.
However, this doesn't mean he should field a full strength team, with Liverpool's back-up players surely able to see off the League Two minnows?
Adam Bogdan needs to make his competitive debut in goal, he deserves the chance and Simon Mignolet doesn't need to play every single game, meaning that the former Bolton man should step in.
Ahead of him, I'd again use the back three that was deployed in the 1-1 draw against Norwich. Liverpool's squad seems fairly well suited to it, and it's a case of anything but the 4-2-3-1 for me at this point.
Handing a chance to Joe Gomez to show his capabilities at centre back, I'd position him to the right of Kolo Toure, who is still at the club for these types of games. To the left of Toure is Dejan Lovren, who needs to keep his fitness up by playing in these games, now that Mamadou Sakho has taken back his rightful place in the defence for Premier League games.
At right wing back, I'd go with Jordon Ibe, partly so that Nathaniel Clyne can claim a well deserved rest. Ibe could do with a strong performance against a weaker team to build up confidence following a slow start to the season from him, and he's perfectly well equiped at the defensive part of the game to play there.
Across to the left, I'd start Alberto Moreno again, after he was tremendously impressive against Norwich on Saturday. He hasn't played too many games this season so won't need resting, and will help Liverpool use the width and stretch the opposition.
My midfield pairing would be that of Jordan Rossiter and Pedro Chivirella, giving the two youngsters another crack at first team action after they both made their European debuts last week.
Rossiter's defensive mindset combined with Chivirella's eye for a pass offers a promising partnership, and their understanding of each other from Under-21 matches will only help them to flourish.
Joao Carlos Texiera would be my pick in attacking midfield, as he deserves the opportunity to impress after being on the fringes of first team action this campaign, which came as a surprise after he impressed for Brighton in the Championship last season.
As the front two, I'd start Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino. With Firmino's ability to play as a second striker proving the use here, he'd drop deep to recieve the ball and dictate play, whilst Origi would use his pace to stretch the Carlise defence in behind.
Ollie's XI - Carlisle (3-4-1-2): Bogdan, Gomez, Toure, Lovren, Ibe, Chivirella, Rossiter, Moreno, Texiera, Firmino, Origi.
Mosope Ominiyi: It must be getting really frustrating, for Liverpool supporters at the moment. Five games without a win, and the pressure continues to mount on Brendan Rodgers' and his side. Frankly, they need to win this match. If they don't, then, the Reds will lose their opportunity to progress deep into a competition they should really be targeting at winning, in all honesty.
Carlisle will relish the possibility of playing against a Premier League side, not least away from home - and it's the best time to play Liverpool at the moment. If the visitors start well, and are defensively solid, who knows what'll transpire?
As opposed to my two counterparts, I have opted for a four-at-the-back formation. Not only does it solidify the defence, but regardless of the opposition, a three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs is often a risky choice to make.
Now onto the selection reasons. Adam Bogdan is virtually the tag of "cup goalkeeper", so he'll slot in-between the posts for his competitive debut. It'd not be a bad idea to keep Simon Mignolet out of the limelight, after his costly mistake against Norwich on Sunday.
Next, the back four. Joe Gomez (right), Alberto Moreno (left) with Kolo Touré and Dejan Lovren as the two centre-backs. Naturally, the centre-back pairing isn't exactly the best. Touré though, is a utility player. Lovren meanwhile, needs to retain his starting spot in the first-team on a regular basis, so a good defensive display will go some way to helping with that.
In midfield, time for some refreshing young. Although the cup is traditionally seen as an opportunity to introduce youngsters onto the first-team scene, Jordan Rossiter and Pedro Chivirella have been knocking on the door for a few months now, it must be stressed. The duo made their European debuts last week, and didn't look out-of-place in an otherwise lacklustre side, who struggled to finish off Bordeaux despite their opportunities to do so.
Jordan Ibe hasn't had the best start to the 2015/16 term, so a good performance in-front of the Anfield faithful on Wednesday night would be beneficial for the English youngster, for sure. Roberto Firmino, deserves to start in his natural position - as an attacking midfielder, in the absence (probably due to rest!) of Philippe Coutinho.
Up-top, Danny Ings and Divock Origi. The former's first goal in Liverpool colours is sure to give him a morale-boost, but his Belgian attacking team-mate needs one too. We wait, in hope.
Mosope's XI - Carlisle (4-3-1-2): Bogdan; Gomez, Touré, Lovren, Moreno; Chivirella, Rossiter, Ibe; Firmino; Ings, Origi.