Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp confirms Simon Mignolet is no longer No 1 as Liverpool prepare for EFL Cup clash

Klopp has installed summer signing Loris Karius above Mignolet in his goalkeeper pecking order

Simon Mignolet will start Liverpool's EFL Cup clash with Spurs but is now second choice goalkeeper (Getty)

Simon Mignolet will return for Liverpool in the EFL Cup - but manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear the Belgian goalkeeper is now second choice.

Mignolet has had three inconsistent seasons at Anfield and lost his place to new signing Loris Karius for the Reds' defeat of Derby in the third round of the competition last month.

At the time Klopp said he had no definite number one but, with Karius having now played five games in succession, his thoughts have changed.

Mignolet, however, remains a key figure in the squad and Klopp is keen to have him involved as Tottenham visit Anfield in the fourth round on Tuesday.

Klopp said: "If nothing happens in training then he will play, 100 per cent.

"But in this moment we have a number one and that's Loris Karius. That's the situation and what the goalkeepers know. I cannot leave them in doubt."

A goalkeeping change is also on the agenda for Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, who confirmed he will rest Hugo Lloris at Anfield, insisting top stars like the France goalkeeper are not "machines".

"It's true that we'll play Michel Vorm," said Pochettino.

"Hugo is not a machine, he's one of the best but he's not a machine. It is a very good opportunity for Michel, he deserves to play."

Arsene Wenger insisted Arsenal will compete for every competition this season ahead of the meeting with Reading.

The League Cup is usually a distant fourth in Arsenal's priorities, and probably more so this term as they currently sit level on points with Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Wenger's training schedule for the Emirates Stadium clash was disrupted by the club's annual general meeting on Monday but, in his speech to shareholders, the Gunners boss revealed his desire to get through to the quarter-finals.

"Our challenge is to compete for everything, starting (on Tuesday) in the League Cup," he said.

"Even if you see some new faces, our desire is to qualify and fight for everything because I believe we have a squad that is more mature and better equipped to cope with all the challenges we have.

"I am committed to give my best to ensure we are successful at the end of the season."

Reading captain Paul McShane says "the shackles are off" for his side as they put on hold their primary objective of winning promotion back into the Premier League.

The 30-year-old defender told his club's official website: "As a player, you want to be playing against big clubs like Arsenal week in, week out in the Premier League...so the league has got to be a priority. But that makes Tuesday night's match a bonus game.

"The shackles are off. We'll go and enjoy the game, and everything is possible."

Elsewhere, Leeds host Norwich, Bristol City take on Hull and Newcastle welcome Preston.

PA