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Liverpool Forced To Play Two Teams In Two Different Continents Within 24 Hour Period

Liverpool Forced To Play Two Teams In Two Different Continents Within 24 Hour Period

This is actually happening.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

It has been confirmed that the Carabao Cup quarter-final tie between Aston Villa and Liverpool will be played on Tuesday 17 December as originally scheduled.

The news means that Jurgen Klopp's side will have to play two games in the space of 24 hours.

Liverpool's FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar is penned down for Wednesday 18 December.

The club have since confirmed that the club will be utilising two playing squads simultaneously, with one squad participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar and another in the Carabao Cup.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The Premier League leaders released the following statement on the fixture pile-up on their official website.

"The club would like to take this opportunity to underline that while this is not an ideal scenario," the statement reads.

"it is an outcome which was arrived at with the best interests of the competition, our fellow clubs and ourselves as the sole motivating factor.

'We would like to thank the EFL for their efforts to accommodate us and we can confirm alternative dates were discussed, but ultimately none were considered suitable without compromising the scheduling of the competition itself or placing an undue strain on our playing staff."

The EFL have also released a statement confirming the news.

"Having considered all possible scenarios, the EFL has now accepted a request from the Club to play the fixture on the scheduled date, during the designated week for the Quarter-Finals in the domestic fixture calendar, with Liverpool committing to fielding a team that is largely consistent with those that have participated in earlier rounds of this season's competition.

"The players selected on the teamsheet must meet the competition's selection requirements, which are outlined in the competition's rules with, Regulation 6.5 stating: "Each Club shall play its full available strength in and during all Cup Competition matches, unless some satisfactory reason is given."

"The EFL's overwhelming priority is to maintain the integrity of the Carabao Cup and the decision taken is intended to protect the best interests of a competition that attracts millions of viewers at home and abroad with the final broadcast in more than 130 territories worldwide.

"It is also the best decision in minimising the impact of rescheduling the final stages of the competition on those Clubs who remain in the Carabao Cup and the knock-on effect this would have in both the FA Cup and the Premier League."

Image: PA
Image: PA

"EFL Football Services Director, Dave Cookson, said: "The EFL is very aware of the challenges Clubs face when participating across numerous competitions at home and abroad, and whilst we will always look to work with Clubs our overwhelming priority has to be to protect the integrity of the Carabao Cup and ensure any decisions taken are in the best interests of the competition.

"The EFL has long-acknowledged that this competition provides those Clubs with large resources with the opportunity to rotate their squads knowing that teams who wish to be successful have to be prepared to play a large amount of matches over the course of the season.

"Therefore, in these exceptional circumstances the decision was taken having received clear assurances from the Club that there will be a level of consistency in team selection, a feature which is key to ensuring integrity is maintained.

"We recognise the challenges Liverpool face in this matter and appreciate the efforts made to find a practical solution. Finally, I would like to wish the Club well in representing the English game at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar."

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Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Carabao Cup, Football