It has been confirmed that Liverpool will field two different teams for their Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa on 17th December and first Club World Cup match in Qatar on 18th December (via BBC Sport).
The Reds had discussed playing the tie against Villa on different dates, but a statement from Liverpool said that they were “not suitable” and therefore decided to utilise two squads for the two competitions (BBC Sport).
This means that it is almost certain that Dean Smith’s side won’t be coming up against the complete Liverpool first team, although the EFL say that the Merseyside club have committed to”fielding a team that is largely consistent with those that have participated in earlier rounds of this season’s competition.”
With that in mind, that could mean that the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are not involved at Villa Park as none of the trio have featured at all in the Carabao Cup this term.
In response to the news, quite a few Aston Villa fans have been very positive and believe that this now increases their chances of winning the game and progressing to the semi-finals.
Here is what some supporters had to say on Twitter…
Good for us then, I hope! 🤞🦁💜💙🔥👊💪😍
— sz (@sz91198922) November 5, 2019
Our best chance of getting European football next season think we can go all the way now and win it utv
— Anthony McGowan (@AntonAvfc) November 5, 2019
yessss announce semi finals
— lew (@lew_clamp) November 5, 2019
With the big guns in Qatar, what an opportunity to reach a semi final 💪 Get up for it Villa!!!
— Nathan Henton 🦁 (@HentonNathan) November 5, 2019
So we’ll effectively be playing a youth team? As Juergen will be with the seniors at the club World Cup pic.twitter.com/26xgyKiNL7
— Levi Micah Brown (@LeviMicahBrown) November 5, 2019
Semi for us then
— The number 78 🇮🇪 (@TheNumber78_) November 5, 2019
You love to see it
— Ben Revell 🇿🇼 (@BenRevell9) November 5, 2019
Aston Villa fans, what is your reaction to the fact that Liverpool will potentially field a weaker team to face you in the Carabao Cup? Let us know in the comments below…
