Liverpool have regularly caused a stir with their team selections in the League Cup during the Jurgen Klopp era.
Even when, as was the case in their last outing in the competition against Aston Villa, the Reds boss wasn't even there.
Since reaching the final and the semi-final in his first two seasons in charge, Klopp has used the League Cup to give minutes to fringe players and, increasingly, provide first-team exposure to Academy graduates.
It will be more of the same when Liverpool travel to League One side Lincoln City on Thursday, although assistant manager Pep Lijnders has suggested the team will be stronger than many suspect.
That may well be as a result of the Reds now having greater strength in depth, partly due to that previous willingness to blood youngsters.
But at the LNER Stadium, the greater interest may well be in who doesn't make the team.
And that isn't in reference to the likes of Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, all of whom will be given a deserved break.
Instead, the absences of certain fringe players could indicate their time at Liverpool may be coming to an end if not permanently then at least temporarily, with the transfer deadline approaching on October 5.
Harry Wilson already appears to be one, with Burnley in talks over a move for the Welsh winger.
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There will be others. Marko Grujic was an unused substitute in the Community Shield last month but with Borussia Moenchengladbach one of several clubs interested in the £20million-rated midfielder, it would be a surprise to see him involved at Lincoln.
So too Rhian Brewster. Sheffield United have thus far been the most keen on the 20-year-old, but the queue of potential suitors is sizeable.
Loris Karius may believe he can make the bench at Lincoln - Caoimhin Kelleher featured for the under-21 side in their 6-1 defeat at Wigan Athletic in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday - but a failure would be final confirmation he has no future at Anfield.
Ben Woodburn, wanted by Sparta Rotterdam on loan, was another to play for the U21s and it would be a surprise to see him involved.
And then there is Nathaniel Phillips, although he may be needed at centre-back with Klopp short of options.
The Liverpool teamsheet on Thursday will not only be instructive for the following 90 minutes, but also perhaps the months and years to come.
How seriously should Liverpool take the Carabao Cup? Have your say in the comments section.
