JURGEN KLOPP’S kids will be on a flight of fantasy tonight.
And that is because some of them could be taking another flight to Qatar.
Ki-Jana Hoever, Caoimhin Kelleher and Harvey Elliott are among the Liverpool youngsters on course to play against Aston Villa and then could be flown over to Qatar
The Liverpool boss will be tuning in to see his youngsters in their mission impossible against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
And the German also has a private jet on standby to fly in reinforcements for his Club World Cup squad.
Liverpool Under-23s boss Neil Critchley will run the show against Villa tonight.
He said: “There is a flight waiting for sure. We will wait to see who gets the call after the game.
“One or two of them might be on the plane — and I might try and sneak on it myself!”
Klopp has taken a 20-man party to the Middle East but Georginio Wijnaldum is unlikely to play after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2–0 win over Watford.
The Kop manager will be short of options if Liverpool beat Mexican CONCACAF Champions League winners Monterrey tonight to reach Saturday’s final, with centre-backs Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip out.
That scenario means 17-year-old rookie defenders Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp Van Den Berg are the most likely candidates to be parachuted in.
Who are ya?
HERE are the youngsters who look set to line up for Liverpool against Aston Villa tonight in the Carabao Cup . . .
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER (21)
Republic of Ireland Under-21 keeper who played in both Carabao Cup wins over MK Dons and Arsenal.
MORGAN BOYES (18)
Welsh Under-19 with a sweet left foot although injuries mean he could switch to right-back.
SEPP VAN DEN BERG (17)
Centre-back signed from Dutch side FC Zwolle for £1.3million in the summer, nicknamed Ed Sheeran.
KI-JANA HOEVER (17)
Amsterdam-born and signed from Ajax last year, he is already being compared to Virgil van Dijk.
HERBIE KANE (21)
Lively midfielder who played for Doncaster on loan last season.
TONY GALLACHER (20)
Glaswegian left-back signed from Falkirk last year for £200,000, having made 17 appearances for the Scots.
PEDRO CHIRIVELLA (22)
Most experienced player in the squad, the Spanish holding midfielder is likely to be captain.
ELIJAH DIXON-BONNER (18)
Midfielder signed from Arsenal in 2015 who is making waves after guidance from Steven Gerrard.
HARVEY ELLIOTT (16)
Signed from Fulham in the summer, the Cottagers still want £7million in compensation for the attacker.
RHIAN BREWSTER (19)
Attacker hoping to shrug off a calf injury. Could be loaned out next month.
ISAAC CHRISTIE-DAVIES (22)
Attacker with an eye for a pass who joined last year on a free from Chelsea.
With the Villa clash kicking off at 7.45pm, three hours behind the time in Qatar, it is likely only Klopp and his coaching staff will still be up to watch on TV. But Critchley knows the German will be assessing possible additions to a squad that already contains 18-year-olds Neco Williams and Curtis Jones.
And he also knows the youngsters will be out to prove that if you are good enough, you are old enough.
Critchley added: “Of course with young players in a situation like the Villa game — full house, live on TV — you never quite know. But there has been a real buzz in the whole of my squad knowing what is coming up.
“The mentality that the manager has created in the first-team squad very much seeps down to the academy. Our young players have the mentality that Jurgen wants. I’m proud and excited for them as it is a fantastic opportunity.
“The Villa game is going to be well out of their comfort zone. But we saw with a bunch of them how unbelievable their attitude was with the way they kept coming back from behind against Arsenal in the last round.
“At this club, the young players know what is acceptable and what is not. We engage and challenge them — we never settle for mediocrity.
“They have another big challenge, but I’m certain we’ll see them play like a proper Liverpool team in what are unique circumstances. I don’t think they have anything to lose against Villa.
“What’s more, we already have two 18-year-old kids involved in the world championships — that doesn’t happen every day of your life and there might even be more.”
Jurgen Klopp is set to be keeping a close eye on events at Villa Park from the Middle EastCredit: Reuters
Under-23s boss Neil Critchley will be in charge for the Reds as they take on Aston VillaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Carabao Cup quarter-final
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
