Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has ruled out fielding different teams in two competitions in two countries – possibly on the same day – to solve the club’s Carabao Cup quarter-final issue.
The Reds were drawn to play Aston Villa in the last eight in the week commencing 16 December, when they are in Qatar for the Fifa Club World Cup. “We cannot leave any players at home for the Carabao Cup,” said Klopp.
The Premier League is unlikely to allow Liverpool to move any top-flight games. Their league game at West Ham United has already been postponed because of their participation in the tournament in the Middle East.
The Anfield club and the EFL are in talks over an alternative date but Klopp said there was “no final decision yet”. “We have two games there [Qatar] in a very busy period,” the German added.