Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Liverpool line-up

Liverpool are set with the task of playing in two different competitions in the space of 24 hours and Jurgen Klopp, as expected, has taken his first-team members to Qatar for the Club World Cup.

This leaves U23 manager Neil Critchley to head the team as they travel to Villa Park on Tuesday to face off against Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

However, the inexperienced squad will look to put in their best performance and keep Liverpool in the hunt in all competitions.

On the other hand, Villa would be hoping to take advantage of the Reds’ young side and see that they go through to the next round with ease. They are coming into this game on the back of three successive losses in the Premier League, most recently against Sheffield United.

Team News

With a big change in the squad, Critchley would be working with most of the youngsters he has known. Dejan Lovren’s thigh injury has made him unavailable for both sides.

Fabinho, Joel Matip, and Nathaniel Clyne are still recovering from their injuries and their return to the team is unknown.

Probable Liverpool XI

Formation: 4-3-3

Caoimhin Kelleher (GK)

Though he is a part of the first-team, Kelleher was left out from going to Qatar. He would be hoping to keep a clean sheet and do well.

Ki-Jana Hoever (RB)

The Netherlands U18 international has played just 6 games in Premier League 2 but has already featured in the EFL Cup for the first-team. He is expected to start in this fixture.

Tom Clayton (CB)

He has featured in 7 Premier League 2 games for Liverpool this season and with Lovren not able to make it for this fixture, Clayton is an undoubted starter.

Sepp van den Berg (CB)

The summer signing has been quite excellent this season for the reserves team. He is expected to partner Clayton the heart of the defence.

Yasser Larouci (LB)

He would be deployed in Andy Robertson’s position and will be hoping to make an impact on the team while moving forward.

Pedro Chirivella (RCM)

With 1 goal and the same number of assists in Premier League 2, the Spaniard will start for sure. He would be hoping to prove himself in the middle of the park on Tuesday.

Elijah Dixon-Bonner (CDM)

He has been a consistent member of Neil Critchley’s U23 squad this season. He will be starting without competition for this spot and would be hoping to keep Villa at distance.

Herbie Kane (LCM)

In the absence of Curtis Jones, who has departed with the senior squad, Kane is expected to be their playmaker. He already has 2 goals and 2 assists for the youth team this season.

Harvey Elliot (RW)

The highly-rated youngster has some experience of playing with the first-team and he will be a key member in this fixture. He should be starting at any cost.

Luis Longstaff (LW)

The English teenager is the only player available to cover the left side at the moment. He is an undoubted starter.

Rhian Brewster (ST)

With 4 goals to his name, Brewster should be leading their attack and will aim to score for the team and help them cross the line.

[Image] Brewster and Elliot to start? Predicted young Liverpool XI to face Aston Villa