Liverpool will play Aston Villa in the EFL Cup quarter-final on December 17, one day before the Club World Cup starts in Doha.
Naturally, Liverpool will not be able to field a similar side in both games, meaning the match at Villa Park will be an entirely U23 XI – and likely a batch of U18 substitutes – while the first-team is in Qatar.
“Liverpool Football Club can confirm our Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Aston Villa will take place on Tuesday December 17, 2019.
“As a result, we will be utilising two playing squads simultaneously, with one squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar and another in the Carabao Cup.”
The situation is strange, and begs the question: why are not pulling out of the competition…?
In fairness, the likes of Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Rhian Brewster will be desperate for the opportunity to play in the quarters – which they have deserved after helping us get wins over MK Dons and Arsenal.
And who knows – there’s a chance they’ll progress to the semis – and if they do – they should keep their spot in the team in January for both legs.