Liverpool's U23's manager Neil Critchley will address the media in a live press conference this morning ahead of the Reds' Carabao Cup clash with Aston Villa tomorrow.
The Reds beat MK Dons and Arsenal in the earlier rounds of the competition.
Critchley will take charge of a young Liverpool side with Jurgen Klopp's team in Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup. Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster will be in Critchley's squad but Curtis Jones and Neco Williams will not be available with both part of the senior camp.
Taking place at Melwood from 11.30am, our man Paul Gorst will be in place to bring you LIVE updates, while Kathryn Batte will be at ECHO HQ.
Stay tuned for the latest team and injury news.
Key Events
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Key points
The main talking points from Critchley’s press conference:
- Rhian Brewster is carrying a slight ankle injury and will be assessed before the game
- A plane could be waiting to take some players to Qatar after the game
- Jurgen Klopp and the first team will be watching the game
- Critchley hopeful Curtis Jones and Neco Williams will get game time in Qatar
On Curtis Jones and Neco Williams being in Qatar
For two 18-year-olds to be playing in a World Championship, that doesn’t happen very often. You’ve only got to count names to show that they’ve got a chance of being involved and maybe being on the bench. As the manager showed with bringing Curtis on against Bournemouth they’ve got a chance of being on the pitch and fingers crossed they do.
Klopp and the first team will be watching
I’m sure with modern technology they’ll be watching it. The manager shows a great interest in the young players, I can come and speak to him all the time. He knows who they all are.
It will be a learning experience
As long as we learn from it and reflect on the experience, it can only benefit these young players. Hopefully people will look at these young players and people will think they can be players of the future. Quarter-final of the league cup at Villa Park, you expect a great occasion. As long as we’re there for each other and play like a Liverpool team can do, we can’t control everything but we can guarantee certain things.
The players are excited
It’s so exciting for me and the staff around us. It can’t help but feel like you’re part of that with them. It’s exciting for me to share this moment with them, it will give me a lot of pride.
We must play like a 'Liverpool' team
The group that have been together are together constantly. It’s not a group that’s been thrown together. It’s important we go and play like a Liverpool team. The pressure from us will be from the staff to the players to go and play like a Liverpool team.
How do they reach standards?
It comes from the standards that you set on a daily basis. The players know what is acceptable and what is not. We’re here to engage with them, challenge and support them. You never stop pushing the,. We never settle for mediocrity, that’s okay, you’ve got to be better than okay. The preparation comes on a daily basis on the training ground.
Influence of Klopp and first team
We’re very fortunate our manager believes in young players and gives them an opportunity. The mentality that the manager breeds in the first team players here seeps into the academy as well. You can’t help being influenced on what goes on above you and I like to think that our young players have a similar mentality to what our first team players produce on a weekly basis.
Arsenal experience will help
It was an unbelievable evening. Part of my job as a young coach is to try and put the players in situations where they learn from being outside their comfort zone.
We can't lose either way ...
We’ve got to be there for each other from the first whistle. We always try and dominate the game, we know that will be difficult tomorrow.
I hope they go and prove to everyone watching tomorrow night what they’re capable of.
Excitement building
The decision was taken above me and this is what the club have come up with. This is a unique set of circumstances and we’ve tried to find the best solution.
We’re looking forward to it and can’t wait.
Some players could be heading to Qatar after Villa
I believe there might be a plane waiting for one or two, it might depend on how they play tomorrow. I’m hoping to sneak on myself.
Critchley on leading out Liverpool
It’s a great opportunity for everyone, myself included. I’ll be very proud to lead the team out tomorrow night but the pride I’ll have is to see how far the players have come. When I stand on the touchline tomorrow night I’ll be proud of those on the pitch.
Critchley on the CL draw
Who organised this press conference during the CL draw? It’s not for me of course but very exciting
The journey so far
Liverpool beat MK Dons and Arsenal to make it through to the quarter-finals.
Goals from James Milner and Ki-Jana Hoever gave the Reds a 2-0 win over the Dons.
The fourth round tie at home to Arsenal was far more dramatic.
The game went to penalties after Liverpool came from behind to score a 94th minute equaliser in a 5-5 draw before going on to win 5-4 on penalties.
Who could be playing for the Reds?
As we said earlier - it will be a very young Liverpool squad facing Aston Villa tomorrow. But who could actually feature for the Reds?
Connor Dunn took a look at what the team could be as well as some of the issues Critchley faces:
Read it HERE
What to expect
- U23 boss Neil Critchley will be speaking at roughly 11.30am
- Team news - the Reds will have a young side with the senior team in Qatar
- Injuries - updates on any players carrying knocks
- Lots more - Critchley is bound to be asked how he’s feeling about taking charge of the Reds in a senior competition for the first time!
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to our live blog for U23 boss Neil Critchley’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup quarter-final tie at Aston Villa.
The Reds will field a young side with Jurgen Klopp’s senior team in Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as we bring you team and injury news.
