Pre-Match: Aston Villa v Liverpool Carabao Cup QF Tues 17th Dec 19:45KO

Well, this is has taken me ages to try and work out a potential line up for this game, I’ve been through most U23’s match reports and had a look at the U18’s as well, to see who is like to feature on Tuesday.

I’ll pick a team of who is likely to feature, then if anyone has any further suggestions I’ll be grateful to know, it’s been interesting looking into the U23’s side and also seeing who is highly rated in the U18’s:

Kelleher

Williams
Hoever
Van Den Berg
Larouci

Jones (c)
Chirivella
Kane

Elliott
Brewster
Christie-Davies

Subs:

Atherton
Boyes
Koumetio
Cain
Longstaff
Clarkson
Stewart

I think this is likely to be the squad that travels to Villa Park.

It’s a shame Adam Lewis is injured because this could have been a decent chance for him to prove his worth at LB.

I’m really looking forward to watching this, it will be a great opportunity for our youngsters and also for the 23’s manager Neil Critchley and his coaches.

I expect Villa will play as strong a team as possible, but judging by their last team in this competition, and their team selection at the weekend, we can expect to see something like this from them:

Nyland

Elmohamady (c)
Konsa Ngoyo
Chester
Taylor

Hourihane
Douglas Luiz
Lansbury

Trezeguet
Kodija
Davis

Subs:

Steer
Engels
Hause
Green
El Ghazi
Jota
Hogan

I picked this judging on who has featured for them in the Caraboa cup so far, as well as players who are on the ‘fringes’ at Villa.

I have no idea of a score line, let’s just see what happens Tuesday ⚽️

Im sure Elliott & Jones are with the senior squad for the WCC.

Im sure Elliott & Jones are with the senior squad for the WCC.

Williams and Jones are, they are flying out to Qatar after the game apparently.

I’m sure the original squad list for the CWC has Brewster and Elliott in, but maybe those plans have changed.

Kelleher (c)

Clarkson
Hoever
Van Den Berg
Larouci

Longstaff
Chirivella
Kane

Elliott
Brewster
Christie-Davies

We can watch this completely relaxed about the result and just enjoy watching a very young side give it their all.

No doubt Villa will be favourites by a long shot, but lets be honest, they are sh*te. Their confidence will be high because they are only competing against youngsters, but you know what, we get an early couple of chances, even if we don't score, Villa will be a nervous shivering heap of sh*te. The thought of losing to a team of kids will shatter their nerves. Thats why I think we'll win it. Villa will fall apart.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY RED KIDS.

Not even going to guess at the team for this one. Good luck to all the boys who are chosen, but cant help feel annoyed that we have been put in this situation, with the likes of United, Everton and City still in the cup and able to field senior  teams.

Credibility of the tournament has gone out the window, but none of that is the clubs fault, or the fault of the team we put out.

Good luck to them.

I will watch this without any expectation of winning, will be quite nice to watch a game without feeling any nerves.

In all likelihood we'll lose this by a big margin but it will be good experience for the youngsters.

As for selection I'd just play the U23 team as far as possible.

No doubt Villa will be favourites by a long shot, but lets be honest, they are sh*te. Their confidence will be high because they are only competing against youngsters, but you know what, we get an early couple of chances, even if we don't score, Villa will be a nervous shivering heap of sh*te. The thought of losing to a team of kids will shatter their nerves. Thats why I think we'll win it. Villa will fall apart.
COME ON YOU MIGHTY RED KIDS.

3 or 4 of these lads in the team would give them a game, but literally men Vs boys all over the field, and at PL level... I think we should keep our expectations down, but no harm in hoping.

Just hope the young'uns give it their all, this is their chance at representing the club.

What was that Choon that Bog Snorkler George Michael used to sing ?......





....Oh yeah....You Gotta Have 'Faith'


Let's f***in Smash em,..

..Up the Young Un's


YNWA

Would love the kids to come good there

I listed a probably lineup a few days ago. Although it seems Curtis Jones and Neco Williams may have already left for Qatar, I expect our lineup vs. to be:

Kelleher

Williams
Hoever
Van den Berg
Gallacher (I think Larouci is injured)

Kane
Chirivella
Dixon-Bonner

Jones, Brewster, Elliott

Subs: GK, Christie-Davies, Norris, Boyes, Clarkson, Cain, Bearne

If Williams and Jones are unavailable I'd expect Boyes at center back, Hoever at right back and Cain, Bearne or Luis Longstaff at forward.

Curtis Jones lines up in the front three now much more often than at midfield. So if he plays, expect him there.

I'll wait for something on a couple of kids being dropped from the  original 23-man travel squad.

You can be  certain that the kids will be fired up and will not let us down.I would really  love to see them beat Villa.

If the lads went on to beat the Villa team then this would be up there with some big shocks.

It's the fitness and physicality more than anything that is the difference. The Villa players will have developed into the players that they are, while our lads are just on the beginning of their journeys.

cmon young ones , You ARE good enough to give these a proper game. show what you do, but play together as a team.
Every faith lads, be supporting you all the way

No reason we can't win this with the young lads. They have nothing to lose all the pressure is on Villa to win.
Villa at best are a decent Championship side and nothing more.

C'mon the young Reds.

Pass and move, pass and move.
Remember what you were told in training. No heroics, just stay concentrated. The Adrenalin will carry you through. Win it and send out a statement.
We are Liverpool, This means more !

I'll put a tenner on a win for the young guns.

williams is with the WCC squad.

Jones & Elliott now with u23s. changed yesterday.

No reason we can't win this with the young lads. They have nothing to lose all the pressure is on Villa to win.
Villa at best are a decent Championship side and nothing more.

C'mon the young Reds.

are you joking, there is every reason that we WILL lose, Villa players are stronger, faster, better technically, more experienced and are also playing at home and will be every bit as motivated to win.

I'm actually not bothered about losing this, it means 2 games less that Leicester and Citeh in February

This game is going to massively skew our 'number of players used in a season' stat.

Not hopeful at all. Could be an ugly scoreline.

Still can't believe we're in this situation to be honest - complete shambles really.

Hope the kids go and do us proud though.