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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND - Wednesday, July 31, 2019: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Stade de Genève. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool U23s to play Man City at Anfield – but most fans are likely to miss out

Harvey Elliott is set to make his Anfield debut as the Liverpool under-23s take on Man City later this month, but most fans are likely to miss watching it live.

The young Reds’ clash with their Manchester counterparts has been selected as one of three Premier League 2 clashes to be held at the first-team stadium in 2019/20.

This is in line with the regulations of the league, in order to generate further interest from supporters and provide players with valuable experience in top-level facilities.

However, the U23s’ first outing at Anfield this season will be held on August 31, kicking off at 6pm, which directly clashes with the first team’s trip to Burnley in the Premier League.

Previously the fixture was to be a 1pm kickoff at Kirkby, but now those planning to watch the likes of Elliott, Ki-Jana Hoever, Sepp van den Berg, Yasser Larouci, Curtis Jones and Rhian Brewster are faced with a big decision.

The club have announced ticket details for the academy clash, with prices ranging from £1 for over-65s, young adults and juniors to just £3 for adults.

But the reality is many will instead prefer to follow Jurgen Klopp‘s side at Turf Moor, at home or at the pub.

It is a fixture clash that was likely dictated by the schedules of both Liverpool and Man City, but it is a disappointing one regardless—particularly as an 8pm kickoff would have been after full-time in Burnley.

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 10, 2019: Liverpool's Rhian Brewster during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Academy. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Neil Critchley‘s side have started the season in miserable fashion, opening with a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham at Kirkby, before a 3-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday night.

Elliott has been one of the brightest players despite this, with the 16-year-old settling in well following his move from Fulham and showcasing his excellent passing range with his left foot.

Liverpool finished ahead of City in Premier League 2 last season, as though their fourth-placed finish saw them end seven points behind champions Everton, City languished four places below in eighth.

They are the only two sides to fail to take a single point from their opening two games of Division 1 in the under-23s league so far.

City lost 4-3 to Southampton in their opening game, and then 3-1 to Spurs last Friday.