Jurgen Klopp has confirmed four of his starters for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Aston Villa later this month.
A young Liverpool side will play in the Carabao Cup clash at Villa Park on December 17, with the Reds in action in the Club World Cup in Qatar the following day.
And Klopp has confirmed there are four young players who will be present for both games, as he plans to play them against Villa and then fly them to the Middle East to watch Liverpool’s Club World Cup semi-final.
Those players are winger Harvey Elliott, right-back Neco Williams, striker Rhian Brewster and midfielder Curtis Jones.
“The situation is, in this moment, we have 16 adult players, so hopefully in two weeks, if everyone is available, we fly with the 16 there and the four boys come later,” Klopp said in quotes reported by the Liverpool Echo . “It is a completely normal decision.
(Image: PA)
“They play the game the day before [at Villa], we play on the Wednesday, they come in and watch the game and they are available for the possible final or the other game.
“But if we don’t have 16 – because that is the number you need – then we have one, two or three there to replace them because we can do that with injuries. That is the situation.”
Klopp admits he didn’t consider splitting his first-team or the two competitions.
“Not for one second,” he continued.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“We won the Arsenal game [in the Carabao Cup] and we had to find a solution.
“It’s not perfect but it’s the best [option we have]. So we go to Qatar, play the game and also try to win at Villa. I did not consider splitting the squad.
“We had to do it like this. I think it’s a really nice opportunity for the younger guys. I know everybody says [we have] no chance but that’s why football is a wonderful thing.
“I hope all the boys and the staff enjoy it. No pressure.”
Liverpool hold an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a strong start to the campaign.
