Liverpool will not field a side in this season’s revamped EFL Trophy.
We join fellow Premier League big hitters Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle in turning down the invite. Chelsea and reigning champions Leicester City both accepted the offer. (via BBC).
It’s understood we were concerned with EFL games being scheduled in international weeks.
“Some of the bigger clubs who supply the bulk of players for the international sides – the younger players in particular in that under-21 age group, under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20 age groups as well – their players were on international duty so the type of players this competition could have suited may be missing,” said EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.
“It was probably a step too far at this stage, particularly when the better younger players in those age groups have already been committed to go out on loan to other clubs.”
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Clubs who have “Category One” academies were invited to play. Teams will have to start six under-21 players, but the others can be of any age.
Six Championship sides’ U21 sides will replace the dropouts – but some League One and League Two clubs are unhappy. Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony said there was “no chance” he’d have voted in favour of the original proposals if he knew Championships sides would be involved.
The results and future of the one-season trial will be established next May.