Liverpool are set to field their youngest-ever side in the League Cup quarter-final against Aston Villa, with many making their senior debuts.
Neil Critchley will draw upon the Reds’ under-23s and under-18s ranks as they look to pull off the near-impossible at Villa Park.
With Jurgen Klopp and the first-team squad in Qatar for the Club World Cup, Liverpool agreed to field a makeshift side against the Premier League relegation candidates.
There will be some familiar faces involved, such is Klopp’s commitment to youth, but many could be unknown to those watching from the stands and on TV.
Here’s a brief lowdown on the youngsters set to be involved.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 21
This season’s League Cup goalkeeper, Kelleher has already started against both MK Dons and Arsenal in the previous rounds, and saved a penalty in the shootout to earn a place in the quarter-finals.
He has also been used sparingly for the under-23s, but typically travels with the first team on matchdays—and was named on the bench 10 times during Alisson‘s layoff.
Ben Winterbottom
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 18
The most likely deputy for Kelleher, Winterbottom has been in fine form since joining from Blackburn Rovers in March.
An exceptional shot-stopper, the 18-year-old will provide real competition for Vitezslav Jaros and Jakub Ojrzynski when the pair return from injury.
Ki-Jana Hoever
Position: Centre-back / Right-back
Age: 17
One of the most recognisable names in Critchley’s squad, Hoever could start at either centre-back or right-back at Villa Park.
He is arguably at his best in the latter at this stage in his development, but his blossoming partnership with Sepp van den Berg is worth persevering with.
Sepp van den Berg
Position: Centre-back
Age: 17
Van den Berg endured a shaky start to life at Liverpool, and was notably lax in the 3-2 loss to Oldham Athletic in the EFL Trophy back in August.
But the teenager has gone from strength to strength as he adapts to the pace and physicality of English football, and his height could be key to holding off Villa’s attack.
Morgan Boyes
Position: Centre-back
Age: 18
If Hoever starts at right-back, Wales under-19s captain Boyes is the most likely candidate to join Van den Berg at the heart of the defence.
He operates at a tier below the Dutch duo, but is still a strong defender with a useful passing range, and whose flexibility allows him to deputise at left-back when required too.
Tom Clayton
Position: Centre-back
Age: 18
Reliable cover for the centre-backs if Critchley needs another option on the substitutes’ bench, Clayton has made the step up from U18s to U23s seamlessly this season.
Tony Gallacher
Position: Right-back / Left-back
Age: 20
Arrived from Falkirk at the start of 2018 under the weight of expectation, having already established himself in the Scottish Championship and been welcomed to the club by Kenny Dalglish.
Things have moved slowly for Gallacher since, and he is likely to leave Liverpool on loan in January, but for now is a reliable option on either side of the defence.
Yasser Larouci
Position: Left-back
Age: 18
An injury doubt having not played for the academy since being substituted in the 7-0 thrashing of Napoli in the UEFA Youth League last month, but if fit Larouci is likely to start at left-back.
He already has first-team experience from pre-season, during which he was brutally scythed down by Joris Gnagnon in the 2-1 loss to Sevilla in Boston.
Pedro Chirivella
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 22
The most bankable option as captain, Chirivella is one of the most experienced players in Critchley’s squad from both his time at Liverpool and on loan with Go Ahead Eagles and Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Should start in the No. 6 role, with his long-range passing a key outlet.
Herbie Kane
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 21
Like Chirivella, Kane heads into this game knowing more than most what to expect, having cut his teeth with Doncaster in League One last term.
The mobile, goalscoring midfielder was named in the third-tier Team of the Season, and made his Liverpool debut off the bench against MK Dons.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 18
Critchley has relied heavily upon Dixon-Bonner so far this season, and this could be reflected in his selection at Villa Park.
The 18-year-old has made more appearances than any other academy player (24), scoring five goals and assisting a further five, and captained the young Reds in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood and Accrington Stanley.
Leighton Clarkson
Position: Central midfielder
Age: 18
Clarkson has an outside chance of making the squad, despite barely featuring for Critchley at U23 level so far—only making his first start on Saturday against Chelsea.
He has been outstanding for the U18s, however, and in all competitions this season he has created 12 goals—more than any other player at academy level.
The teenager has also trained regularly with the first team, and was on the bench in both of the previous rounds.
Isaac Christie-Davies
Position: Attacking midfielder
Age: 22
Christie-Davies can often be found making up the numbers at Melwood, and though injury has disrupted his campaign he is seen as a valuable player by Critchley.
The Welshman could be used in a variety of roles, including a possible stand-in duty up front.
Jake Cain
Position: Attacking midfielder
Age: 18
Like Clarkson, Cain is unlikely to trouble the starting lineup, but he can be considered one of the most promising young talents in Liverpool’s academy.
An attacking midfielder with a real eye for goal—scoring seven already this season—Cain has recently trained as part of Klopp’s senior squad.
Rhian Brewster
Position: Striker
Age: 19
Brewster is considered a doubt for this clash, with the striker not having featured at any level since a 2-1 win over the Sunderland U23s in mid-November, but if he is fit he will be desperate to start.
Klopp has made sure there is a clear pathway for Brewster into the first team, but this could be one of his last outings for the Reds this season, with a loan lined up next month.
Layton Stewart
Position: Striker
Age: 17
The next big attacking hope for Liverpool, Stewart has stepped up from the under-16s and filled the void left by Bobby Duncan and the injured Paul Glatzel exceptionally.
So far only Curtis Jones (13) has scored more goals for the academy than the Scouser (10), who himself is struggling with fitness issues and may not start.
Harvey Elliott
Position: Winger
Age: 16
Quite possibly the youngest player in Critchley’s squad, Elliott will also be one of the most important and familiar, having hit the ground running since his summer move from Fulham.
In 18 games for the academy this season, Elliott has scored three goals and laid on seven, while also catching the eye against both MK Dons and Arsenal.
Luis Longstaff
Position: Winger
Age: 18
No relation to Newcastle duo Matty and Sean despite joining from the Magpies, Longstaff is a skilful, versatile forward who has been with Liverpool since 2015.
Twelve of his 19 appearances for the academy this season have been as a starter, and many in a new role up front, while he was on the bench at MK Dons in September.
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