JURGEN WILL WANT THEM TO PLAY LIVERPOOL WAY

NEIL CRITCHLEY will take a good luck call from Jurgen Klopp tonight before throwing his kids into the most daunting test of their young lives with the message: Play in the Liverpool way.

With Klopp and 20 of his firstteam squad in Qatar preparing for the Club World Cup semi-final tomorrow, Under-23 coach Critchley has been handed the daunting task of fielding the youngest team in Liverpool’s history when they take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

And while he knows it will take a miracle for the youngsters to cause an upset – they lost to Oldham, Fleetwood

(on penalties) and Accrington in the EFL Trophy – he will demand they do themselves and the club justice at Villa Park.

“It’s a great opportunity for all of us, myself included,” said Critchley. “I

Vwill be very proud to lead the team out but any pride I will have will come from the players producing what they are capable of.

“There’s no better feeling for a young coach than seeing the players who are representing you and who you have a relationship with go and play to the best of their abilities. “If they do that, then that is where my pride will come from. “I’m sure Jurgen will be in touch with us. He takes great interest in our young players. I’m very fortunate in that I can I can come down [from the Academy base] to Melwood whenever I can. I have access to come and speak with Jurgen and watch the training.”

“I’m sure he – and the rest of the coaching staff and players out there – will be watching the game with great interest.”

Some of the youngsters on view tonight have tasted first-team action on a big occasion.

Goalkeeper Caiomhin Kellher, defender Sepp van den Berg, strikers Harvey Elliott and Rhian Brewster and midfielder Pedro Chirivella all figured in the thrilling 5-5 draw with Arsenal in the last round.

Midfielder Curtis Jones, the regular Under-23s skipper, and right-back Neco Williams also impressed in that game and would have played tonight but Klopp has taken them to Qatar.

Critchley insists the experience will be beneficial for the youngsters whatever the result.

He said: “They will be outside their comfort zone. They need tough challenges and the team that takes to the pitch tomorrow, whether it is good, bad or indifferent, will take so much from the experience.

“Personally, I will just be looking forward to seeing how these players will do.”

So, no doubt, will Klopp.