Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must continue to play his youngsters in the Carabao Cup, claims former Reds defender Jamie Carragher.
So far Klopp has blooded a number of the club’s academy graduates in wins over MK Dons and Arsenal.
Carragher says Liverpool must continue to focus on the Premier League, where they currently sit top, and the Champions League, which they are aiming to defend.
And therefore he thinks playing the youngsters is the way to go.
“Not particularly [Jurgen Klopp won’t focus on the Carabao Cup],” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
“I think he’d be just delighted more about these lads getting a chance because it’s difficult, if you go out of the domestic cup competitions early, it’s difficult to put young players in in the Premier League or the Champions League, because they’re the ones Liverpool are desperate to win, as all top clubs are.
“So this is the chance where they can get more experience, keep them happy also because then they won’t go on loan as there’s a game to look forward to.
“So I think he would be more thinking of these players as opposed to going on to win the competition right now.
“If they get through to the next round then you’re into semi-finals, would you go with the young players again or would you bring the established players in?
“I think Liverpool are that focused on the position they’re in in the Premier League, or certainly I would be, I’d just keep playing these young lads and if Liverpool got to a final then of course you would have to play your big team, there’s a trophy at stake.
“But I’d love to see these young players keep playing.”
Liverpool have been drawn away to Aston Villa in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup in the week commencing December 16.
However, the Reds are due to be in Qatar for the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup which has thrown doubt over when the tie will take place.
