With Liverpool set to play two games in two days on two continents in two competitions, Kopites will be busy proving to their partners that such a week exists. With the squad divided in two in order to fulfil the manic schedule, we can expect the Liverpool clash with Aston Villa to prove a key indicator for our 2020/21 season.
Reserve team coach Neil Critchley will be taking charge of the Reds in Birmingham on Tuesday evening. With every fit first team member out in Qatar, along with youth stars Neco Williams and Curtis Jones, we can expect Critchley to name a nigh on embryonic side against Villa.
The fixture should show which youth players are closer to first team readiness than others. Dean Smith is likely to name a strong home lineup. With Liverpool one of the most prized scalps in the world at the moment and the Villains’ boss well aware of the depletion of the Reds squad, we can expect the Birmingham side to take no chances and name a side set to overwhelm an inexperienced visiting XI.
With Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster to take starring roles, the Liverpool management can see how the young pair match up against a Premier League defence.
Kopites will also be keeping a close eye on Sepp van den Berg. The towering Dutch centre back arrived on Merseyside over the summer and is highly thought of at Melwood.
Elijah Dixon-Bonner has been much talked about and will be hoping to show the Reds coaching staff that Curtis Jones isn’t the only midfielder pushing on from the academy.
How well the lads fare on Tuesday evening could determine which starlets are most likely to push for a place on the bench in the 2020/21 season. With Liverpool expected to be beaten at Aston Villa, it is a great opportunity for the youth to show what they can do without the weight of expectation.
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