This week saw Liverpool record their third defeat in four games with a loss against Chelsea. The Reds also crashed out of the UEFA Youth League on the same day – sadly for the U19s side, Liverpool were once again victims of scheduling clashes.
In December there was much debate surrounding the Reds’ cup responsibilities.
Jürgen Klopp’s men were drawn against Aston Villa in the League Cup but had to play in the Club World Cup the following day in Qatar.
The Reds requested that the domestic cup tie be moved so that they could field a full strength side.
However, the officials refused and eventually it was agreed that the club would play the game just hours before their fixture in Qatar, forcing them to field a significantly weakened, youth side in the League Cup.
The young Reds fell victim to a similar clash this week.
The U19s had been having a strong season in the UEFA Youth League, pulling out some superlative results such as the 7-0 hammering of Napoli.
When drawn against Benfica they would have fancied their chances. However, due to the senior’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea being on the same day, the U19s were left without key players Curtis Jones and Neco Williams.
The club’s UEFA Youth League run was ended by a 4-1 loss at Benfica, with no second leg to rescue the tie with a full strength side.
Of course, we can’t have expected either tie to be moved to accommodate the other, the Liverpool youth just fell victim to unfortunate scheduling, the clash meaning that they couldn’t do themselves justice in their continental competition.
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