Liverpool under-23 boss Neil Critchley is poised to manage the first-team for the League Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa next month.
According to GOAL, Critchley will manage the side, due to Jurgen Klopp being with the senior squad at the Club World Cup.
The report claims that Liverpool will field an almost entire academy side against Villa for the League Cup clash, due to it being within 48 hours of their Club World Cup duties.
READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT
Which one should they be taking more seriously? The League Cup. Whilst the Club World Cup is a fine competition in its own right, it should not be above a domestic cup in the pecking order. Liverpool clearly feel differently, but they could be throwing away a chance at a major trophy by allowing their under-23 side to face a Premier League team in a quarter-final – high intensity – match.
It may have even been a good idea to split the squad 50/50, with half of the first-team playing against Villa and the other half going out to the Club World Cup and then using the under-23 squad to fill out both sides. This way Liverpool can compete on both fronts, rather than being left bare in one match.
