Topic: League Cup and Club World Cup.

[Wabaloolah]

Personally I think Jürgen is doing the right thing by presumably handingg the League Cup fixture over to the U23 squad.

Ideally it's a fixture we don't really mind losing as winning adds further distraction in January when we are overloaded with fixtures as it is.

Whether Brewster, Elliott, Jones etc start against Villa then fly out is open to interpretation of the rules I guess

[Wabaloolah]

Tempting to take that bet really.  Elliott, Brewster, Williams and Jones play, a relatively experienced midfield in Herbie Kane and Chirivella, an inexperienced but quite quick backline - all points to a high-scoring win for us!

we are going to have a weak side, Villa might also do something similar so it could be closer than people think it might be on paper

[Magix]

we are going to have a weak side, Villa might also do something similar so it could be closer than people think it might be on paper

I'm speaking sanguinely of course. Chances are Villa are going to field a strong side since it's a stab at silverware but their next two games could see them losing both and they might decide to prioritize league survival with the game after just three days away.

Also key is whether the four youngsters are given some kind of special concession to play against Villa and regroup with the senior side as David Lynch has tweeted out.

[Floop]

I'm speaking sanguinely of course. Chances are Villa are going to field a strong side since it's a stab at silverware but their next two games could see them losing both and they might decide to prioritize league survival with the game after just three days away.

Also key is whether the four youngsters are given some kind of special concession to play against Villa and regroup with the senior side as David Lynch has tweeted out.

I just looked up their team in the last round and they rotated heavily - only 4 of the team that started their last game started that one, and Grealish wasn't in the squad at all. With us using our u23s they will almost certainly take advantage of that and rotate heavily because that's what they were already doing.

[beardsleyismessimk1]

Liverpool squad: Alisson, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Adrian, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Lonergan, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Jones, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott, Williams.  Going world club

[Dougle]

How good is Flamengo? Compared to a PL/La Liga side

They are head and shoulders better than anyone in Brasil. They have a number of players who have played for a long time at the highest level in Europe, Atleti and Bayern. There are a few posts a couple of pages back which give a bit of an analysis of Flamengo. If we get to the final and if we play them it's going to be a mighty scrap in my opinion. I would put them top 6, Leicester-ish, at their best.
They are very confidant (supporters overly so but I wouldn't be bothered by that). It's not going to be a pushover (much and all as I would love it to be).

[stevied]

I thought we weren't allowed to do that and that all players had to be in Qatar 3 days before the first game.

He’s named a 23 man squad doesn’t mean they will all play in 2 games , he might have named the younger ones so they can experience the tournament after the Villa game , they would be ineligible to play as they weren’t in the country before the deadline

[David in Edinburgh]

Does anyone think the CWC going to be treated a little like some warm weather pre- season training us?

[dudleyred]

No chance

He’ll rotate the semi like yesterday I expect but they’ll go to win it

[Redcap]

No chance

He’ll rotate the semi like yesterday I expect but they’ll go to win it

Agree. We're not bringing the whole first team squad for a warm weather training session.

I reckon we might play a team like:

Adrian, Gomez, Milner, Lovren, VVD, Keita, Ox, Gini, Shaq, Origi, Salah

Then revert to the best 11 for the final.

[Captain Caveman]

Just need to bring in some runners from the academy and those two will sort us out up front.

https://twitter.com/luchogarcia14/status/1202611475417829376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1202611475417829376&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolecho.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fwere-getting-band-back-together-17370616

[killer-heels]

You can actually get 13/1 on another site if you fancy us!

Definitely would take that bet. I think we are going to win the League Cup actually.

[spider-neil]

Definitely would take that bet. I think we are going to win the League Cup actually.

I think we are going to get battered. A U21 (literally) side against experienced Villa side, away. We barely got a win at their place with a full-strength side.

[killer-heels]

I think we are going to get battered. A U21 (literally) side against experienced Villa side, away. We barely got a win at their place with a full-strength side.

Thats the logic but not always how games pan out. Last season an on form Wolves side at home barely beat a fully rotated and then some side we put out.

Either way it would be nice to go through but not essential.

[spider-neil]

Thats the logic but not always how games pan out. Last season an on form Wolves side at home barely beat a fully rotated and then some side we put out.

Either way it would be nice to go through but not essential.

My only expectation is we give a good showing of ourselves with some good performances from the kids earmarked for the first team.

[Richie69]

How good is Flamengo? Compared to a PL/La Liga side

Reckon they'd be mid table in the PL, best team in Brazil by some distance.

[Elzar]

Reckon they'd be mid table in the PL, best team in Brazil by some distance.

They do have Rafinha at right back. Mane absolutely terrorised him in a 2017 friendly against Bayern. Their other fullback is Filipe Luis, who is also ageing and slowing.

[classycarra]

You can actually get 13/1 on another site if you fancy us!

Does that include winning by penalties. Well worth the speculation.

Villa are going to play a rotated team as they in their local derby the previous round. Possibly even more given they know their league situation is even worse, they're entering the busiest period of the season and they know how young our side is already

[Fordy]

Klopp: not splitting the CWC squad and the league Cup squad.

In other words the 23 squad players for the CWC are all flying off to the CWC together.

[spider-neil]

Klopp: not splitting the CWC squad and the league Cup squad.

In other words the 23 squad players for the CWC are all flying off to the CWC together.

Did he say that in his press conference?

If that is indeed the case then write off the LC.

[classycarra]

Klopp: not splitting the CWC squad and the league Cup squad.

In other words the 23 squad players for the CWC are all flying off to the CWC together.

No, that's you reading too much into a headline.

This journalist, working for LFC until this year, explains what we'll do from his contacts

David Lynch says Williams, Jones, Elliott and Brewster will all be involved at Villa and then flown out to Qatar. Sounds like they might not be allowed to feature in the CWC as a result, but presumably Klopp wants them there if/when we lift the trophy.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/liverpool-to-fly-youngsters-out-to-qatar-for-fifa-club-world-cup-straight-after-carabao-cup-a4305526.html

[Dim Glas]

Did he say that in his press conference?

If that is indeed the case then write off the LC.

He kinda said it, but whoever asked the question for some unknown reason didn't follow up with the obvious question 'does that mean Elliot, Brewster, Williams and Jones will play vs Villa and fly out later'.

So it wasn't a 100% clear at all really. He said Neil Critchley would take a squad who where making their '1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th steps in the professional game'.

He also said that even though he can't be there, he takes full responsibility, so the players just need to go out and enjoy it, playing at a great stadium etc etc, no pressure.

[spider-neil]

He kinda said it, but whoever asked the question for some unknown reason didn't follow up with the obvious question 'does that mean Elliot, Brewster, Williams and Jones will play vs Villa and fly out later'.

So it wasn't a 100% clear at all really. He said Neil Critchley would take a squad who where making their '1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th steps in the professional game'.

He also said that even though he can't be there, he takes full responsibility, so the players just need to go out and enjoy it, playing at a great stadium etc etc, no pressure.

Kloop - 'So we go to Qatar, play the game and try to win at Villa. I did not consider splitting the squad.'

What else can that mean, except them all flying out together?

[Fordy]

No, that's you reading too much into a headline.

This journalist, working for LFC until this year, explains what we'll do from his contacts

I don't care what a Journalist says

When asked the question Klopp said we're not splitting the squads.

[Fordy]

He kinda said it, but whoever asked the question for some unknown reason didn't follow up with the obvious question 'does that mean Elliot, Brewster, Williams and Jones will play vs Villa and fly out later'.

So it wasn't a 100% clear at all really. He said Neil Critchley would take a squad who where making their '1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th steps in the professional game'.

He also said that even though he can't be there, he takes full responsibility, so the players just need to go out and enjoy it, playing at a great stadium etc etc, no pressure.

The follow up question was asked? Are you splitting the squads. "No, we will not be"

Don't know how clear he could be. We are only talking about 4 players really. Jones, Brewster, Williams and Elliott so he wants all 23 together for the CWC.

[spider-neil]

If we stay within 2 goals of Villa then we'll have done well.
Villa, if they have any sense, will go full strength to all but guarantee a first semi-final in years.

[classycarra]

I don't care what a Journalist says

When asked the question Klopp said we're not splitting the squads.

You should, it'd improve your understanding of the situation. You have missed what Klopp was answering.

He means he isn't going to leave behind someone like Gomez or Shaqiri.

It also means the juniors who are making up the squad numbers at the CWC won't be split from the LC squad that they've played in in previous rounds.

[DelTrotter]

If we stay within 2 goals of Villa then we'll have done well.
Villa, if they have any sense, will go full strength to all but guarantee a first semi-final in years.

Also guarantees them a two legged pasting from City too. Not sure they’ll be that arsed.

[Fordy]

You should, it'd improve your understanding of the situation. You have missed what Klopp was answering.

He means he isn't going to leave behind someone like Gomez or Shaqiri.

It also means the juniors who are making up the squad numbers at the CWC won't be split from the LC squad that they've played in in previous rounds.

So we leave 4 players behind and fly them after the game? Who is paying for that then?

Either way I don't care. It's clear we want to win the CEC rather than the league cup which is correct this time around. The league cup is done with for the season and it wouldn't shock me if all the 23 players fly out together.

[spider-neil]

A lot of people aren't arsed about the LC (fair enough) but a hammering in front of a large audience may do a lot of harm to young reds in their formative years.

[Suareznumber7]

A lot of people aren't arsed about the LC (fair enough) but a hammering in front of a large audience may do a lot of harm to young reds in their formative years.

It's not like there are too many options at this point. 

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

A lot of people aren't arsed about the LC (fair enough) but a hammering in front of a large audience may do a lot of harm to young reds in their formative years.

Not like they're suddenly going to become Evertonians though is it.

[spider-neil]

It's not like there are too many options at this point. 

True enough. I'm just surprised Klopp is bringing the kids.

[Welshred]

A lot of people aren't arsed about the LC (fair enough) but a hammering in front of a large audience may do a lot of harm to young reds in their formative years.

There are far more positives than any potential negatives, especially when they go into the game pressure free and not expected to win.

[killer-heels]

A lot of people aren't arsed about the LC (fair enough) but a hammering in front of a large audience may do a lot of harm to young reds in their formative years.

What do you want us to do? We dont exactly want this setup but we have no choice.

If we leave some top players behind then some players have to play in the semi final which could have a rest.

[Magix]

I don't think the kids will be impacted much by a hiding; they'll know what's exactly at stake and will have been briefed and coached and managed as such.

[an tha]

True enough. I'm just surprised Klopp is bringing the kids.

He has to name a 23 man squad - i can't see how he could not take those 4 or 5 kids....

[Fordy]

You should, it'd improve your understanding of the situation. You have missed what Klopp was answering.

He means he isn't going to leave behind someone like Gomez or Shaqiri.

It also means the juniors who are making up the squad numbers at the CWC won't be split from the LC squad that they've played in in previous rounds.

Jürgen Klopp has explained Liverpool's approach to the challenge of competing in the FIFA Club World Cup and League Cup in the same week later this month.

The Reds confirmed their 23-man squad for the Club World Cup in Qatar, which will include matches on December 18 and 21, on Thursday.

A quarter-final tie with Aston Villa in the League Cup is also scheduled for December 17.

Asked about the situation at his pre-Bournemouth press conference, Klopp said: “We had to do it like this. I think it’s a really nice opportunity for the younger players to face that [the cup tie with Villa].

“I know everybody thinks ‘no chance’ but football is a wonderful game. I’m not sure if you say it like this in England but if you ‘grow above yourself’ and make the next step and enjoy the challenge… I would love to be part of that game, to be honest, and I hope all the boys and Critch and the coaching staff enjoy it as well, whatever happens.

“If you want, I’m responsible even for that game, not being there. So they have no pressure, they just should fight for each inch on the pitch and enjoy themselves. They are playing in a wonderful stadium, one of the best in England for sure, a great atmosphere. Go there and make maybe not your first, but second and third and fourth steps in the professional world of football. That’s really nice.

“For us, there was absolutely no chance to do it differently, in the moment when it was clear when it would be played and all the other dates were absolutely not possible for us to play it later.

“There was not one date which really would have worked at all because [for] Aston Villa it is difficult as well and there are possible rematches in the FA Cup. So I said, the situation is like it is and at the end we will not suffer because of it. That’s not possible.

“We won the game against Arsenal, a very exciting game and I loved it, and in that moment it was clear, now we have to find a solution and the solution will not be perfect. But we try to make it as perfect as possible.

“So, we go with a specific squad to Qatar and try our best there. And the other ones will play here. If somebody thought I should have done it differently, I cannot change that.”

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/376740-klopp-liverpool-squad-club-world-cup-carabao-cup

[Too early for flapjacks?]

Pretty sure Rhian Brewster, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams will be getting game time that week and it  will be against Villa. Klopp will take the CWC seriously and will be using senior players who have PL and CL experience. I'd imagine not splitting the squad means not leaving half the senior players at home to play against Villa.

[Chris~]

If we stay within 2 goals of Villa then we'll have done well.
Villa, if they have any sense, will go full strength to all but guarantee a first semi-final in years.

Villa don't need to full strength to beat what will possibly be not even our strongest u23 side