Liverpool are set to field a much-rotated side for their final Europa League group game against Union Saint-Gilloise.
The trip to Belgium could have been an awkward-looking end to the group for Liverpool. But having already qualified for the last-16 as group winners, there’s nothing riding on it for the Reds.
As a result, it will be very interesting to see who Jurgen Klopp puts out. With Manchester United coming to Anfield on Sunday – and a Carabao Cup quarter-final hot on the heels of that – it’s the perfect chance for a rest.
With that in mind, it feels likely that we’ll see one or two younger faces among the squad on Thursday. But according to a Liverpool ECHO article from September, Klopp has a limited pool of players to choose from.
Fans may be excited for potential debuts for the likes of Trey Nyoni or Mateusz Musialowski. But, unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen. With the 23-man squad of seniors submitted, Klopp has also named a ‘B-list’ of back-ups.
According to UEFA regulations, this must be players ‘born on, or after, 1 January 2002 and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday by the time he is registered with UEFA – or for a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year.’
Liverpool’s XI of youngsters
This ‘B-list’ for Liverpool contains 11 players. As per the regulations, all 11 are 21 or under.
This still qualifies Harvey Elliott for the list, with Stefan Bajcetic also included. Other first-team squad regulars Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Luke Chambers take their places, too.
There’s room for young Polish goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek, while Calum Scanlon and James McConnell have both already made appearances this season.
Two more from the list have made official debuts for Liverpool. Kaide Gordon is fit again and will be hopeful of minutes on Thursday, while Melkamu Frauendorf made the second of his two Reds starts last November.
Finally, the only name to feature who is yet to play competitively for Liverpool is striker Lewis Koumas. The 18-year-old will perhaps never get a better chance to play for the Reds.
So, with all this is mind, we can get a better idea of the XI Klopp will be fielding in Brussels.
There is obviously the option to play these names together as a team, but we don’t think Jurgen will do that. Others, like Ben Doak were forced to be on the senior 23-man squad and are likely to play, too.
But for the likes of Bradley, Chambers, Scanlon, McConnell and perhaps Gordon they can look forward to a big day in Belgium.
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