DOING THE SPLITS

JURGEN KLOPP could split his Liverpool squad so different teams play in the FIFA Club World Cup and Carabao Cup on the same night.

After their epic defeat of Arsenal on Wednesday, Liverpool were yesterday drawn away to Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

The match is scheduled to take place on either

December 17 or December 18, the same week Liverpool will be in Qatar for the Club World Cup.

Their opening match in the Middle East is on December 18 and the idea of spreading their resources is just one solution mooted to avoid the Reds pulling out of the Carabao Cup.

Liverpool have held talks with the EFL to avoid having to withdraw from the competition.

After their penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal, Reds boss Klopp threatened to withdraw from the Carabao Cup if the EFL did not take their situation into consideration.

Klopp fielded a young side against the Gunners, making 11 changes from their weekend win over Tottenham.

The main issue with doubling up would be Liverpool needing 18 players in each country. Who would manage each side is also a problem.

The more likely outcome is that Liverpool play Villa on January 8, one of the dates for the Carabao Cup semi-final first legs.

The winner of the quarter-final would then play their semi-final first leg the same week as the other last-four second-leg games take place.

The second leg of the delayed match would need to take place before the final on March 1.