LIVERPOOL, England -- Jurgen Klopp said Simon Mignolet will start in goal for Liverpool's Carabao Cup game against Chelsea on Wednesday.

The third-round tie will be Mignolet's first appearance of the season, having served as deputy to £65 million Alisson since his arrival from Roma in July.

The Belgium international wanted to leave in the summer in search of regular playing time, but Liverpool would not sanction any departure after Loris Karius joined Besiktas on a two-year loan.

"The only position I will confirm today is Simon," Klopp told his news conference on Tuesday. "Simon will start. All the rest, you have to wait until tomorrow, but it will be a good team, believe me.

"Each game is an opportunity. It's all about the situation, is the player ready, all the things you have to consider when you think about a lineup. It will be a very good side tomorrow.

"In a transfer window, it's one of two moments in a year where you can think about going somewhere. And, yes, Simon would have been ready to go to another club to be the No. 1. That was clear, but we couldn't do it.

"Since then he's brilliant, he trains fantastic, and he deserves that game tomorrow absolutely. I'm really happy to give him that opportunity."

Simon Mignolet has fallen behind Alisson and Loris Karius at Liverpool. Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool are still monitoring Virgil van Dijk's bruised ribs, which forced him off in the second half of Saturday's win over Southampton.

Dejan Lovren is close to being fit again after his pelvis injury, while Adam Lallana (groin strain) is still yet to return to full training.

"[Virgil] is much better," Klopp said. "It is still a bit painful, nothing else.

"Painful is already not too cool, so we will see how we deal with that. But it's already better. How we thought after the game, it's not too serious but it's not nothing.

"So that needs to settle, for sure. I didn't speak to him [yet] today so we will see how he comes here today and then we'll make a decision about him."

On the other absentees, Klopp added: "Dejan looks actually quite good. Trained completely normal now, four times. He looks ready.

"Divock [Origi] is not far away but it's an ankle thing, and we will be very careful. The ankle was his problem after the Everton game years ago, so he will be back, I'm pretty sure next week or so.

"Adam trained with the team, not the full session, but will now come back step-by-step. He's in a good way. Dom [Solanke] is completely back."

Meanwhile, with another meeting with Chelsea on Saturday, a trip to Napoli in the Champions League and then a home encounter against Manchester City, Klopp has welcomed the decision to scrap extra-time in the Carabao Cup.

Should Wednesday's game remain tied after 90 minutes, then it will be settled via a penalty shootout -- in line with new rules introduced this season.

"Very sensible," he said. "Finally. We want to have a decision after the game.

"It's too much when you play extra-time, and your opponent for the weekend is sat in front of the television and is happy. I am really fine with a penalty shootout if necessary. One winner, one loser, let's go on."

The video assistant referee will also be in operation at Anfield on Wednesday night.