Liverpool could face expulsion from the EFL Cup after allegedly fielding an illegible player against MK Dons in the week.
The Reds won 2-0 in front of a packed Stadium MK, goals from James Milner and Dutch full back Ki-Jana Hoever ensuring their smooth progression to the next round. However, news has emerged this morning that they face an investigation over the inclusion of Pedro Chirivella.
The 22-year-old began his career with Valencia before a move to Anfield at the age of 16. He has struggled to break into their first-team plans though, spending time on loan with Willem II and Go Ahead Eagles, as well as a stint with Extremadura last season.
Upon his return, his international clearance will have needed renewing and that apparently did not happen. Therefore, when he came on as a sub on 63 minutes, it broke the rules.
There’s talk of the Reds being thrown out of the competition, allowing MK Dons passage to the next round to face Arsenal at Stadium MK. There is a precedent though; Sunderland were guilty of the same offence back in 2014.
The Black Cats got away with just a fine when they fielded Ji Dong-Won, also against MK Dons, after failing to gain international clearance following the South Korean’s loan at German side Augsburg.
Fans have reacted on Twitter with a variation of opinions, as you’ll read below.
https://twitter.com/REDNILE7/status/1177836475012005890
https://twitter.com/Gola87/status/1177831933654568960
https://twitter.com/ABurnerAccoun/status/1177832836440543232
https://twitter.com/llkayRole/status/1177834929163399170
The rule itself is ridiculous but if we do get banned it is sadly yet again a sign of incompetence at the club and its advisory team.
— Savvy (@Cheqraise1) September 28, 2019
This competition is the lowest priority so not a major deal BUT its a great opportunity to give other players game time, especially the younger members. I'm more concerned at the lack of awareness of certain rules, like when we picked up the youth transfer ban
— Savvy (@Cheqraise1) September 28, 2019
I shall hope so, useless tournament
— natha 19 (@LfcNatha) September 28, 2019
The @EFL won’t do it. They have form for treating clubs differently for doing this in the past and certainly won’t want lose these revenues.
— Nick Swatton (@nickswatton) September 28, 2019
