LIVERPOOL WILL TAKE a strong squad to the Club World Cup later this month as expected, meaning a youthful selection will contest the EFL Cup clash with Aston Villa.
Jurgen Klopp’s European champions are due to play their Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar on 18 December, the day after going up against Villa in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.
Liverpool had attempted to get the trip to Villa Park rescheduled on account of the fixture clash, but the EFL were unable to facilitate such a move following discussions.
As such, Klopp previously stated he would have to name two separate squads for the matches.
Thursday’s confirmation of a strong first-choice squad heading to Doha means Villa can expect to face a young side in the EFL Cup, though Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Curtis Jones will also join the travelling Club World Cup party.
With three goalkeepers — Alisson, Adrian and Andy Lonergan — heading to Qatar, it looks like Ireland U21 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will start away to Villa on 17 December.
The only first-team players not selected for the Club World Cup are Joel Matip, Nathaniel Clyne and Fabinho, who are recovering from injuries.
Liverpool’s Club World Cup squad: Alisson, Andy Lonergan, Adrian; Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Andy Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams; Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Harvey Elliott, Adam Lallana, Xherdan Shaqiri; Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Rhian Brewster, Divock Origi.
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