Liverpool will field two squads after being forced to play in 2 different continents within 24 hrs. The side had previously threatened to pull out of the league cup.
On the field Liverpool have earned laurels and plaudits for their performance. Off it though, they have become unfortunate victims of their success. Liverpool’s Champions League triumph earned them a spot in the Club World Cup; a trophy they have never won before.
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The CWC was scheduled for December 18th. However, Liverpool’s victory against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup put them in an awkward situation. With the Carabao cup quarterfinals scheduled for the same week as their CWC clash, Jurgen Klopp threatened to pull out of the Carabao cup unless an appropriate fixture was scheduled.
However, the Liverpool manager’s pleas have fallen on deaf ears as the English Football league confirmed that Liverpool will travel to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on the original scheduled date of Tuesday, December 17. To combat the fixture pile up, Liverpool have now resorted to an unprecedented scenario.
Liverpool will field two squads after being forced to play in 2 different continents within 24 hrs
In order to tackle the club’s fixture chaos, Liverpool have made the historic decision of fielding two different teams in the different competitions. The European Champions released the following statement on their official website:
“We 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.
“The club would like to take this opportunity to underline that while this is not an ideal scenario, 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 and to explain why an alternative date was rejected.
“The EFL has been engaged in discussions with Liverpool for a number of months regarding the possibility of needing to find a suitable date for the club to meet its commitments to the Carabao Cup, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup,” the statement read.
“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.
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.”
“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.”
EFL Football Services Director, Dave Cookson, added:
“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.”
One can’t help but feel for Liverpool; who have now been made to pay for earning their right to participate in various competitions. It also however, brings to light, Klopp’s laments about the fixture calendar trying to accommodate too much football and how the governing bodies need to protect players and the integrity of the game.
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