EFL Cup replay would go down ‘like a bag of cold sick’ with Klopp

Jurgen Klopp is reportedly ‘horrified’ at the prospect of having to replay their match against MK Dons in the EFL Cup due to fielding an ineligible player, according to reports.

Pedro Chirivella is the Liverpool player at the centre of an EFL investigation that could see the Reds kicked out of the Carabao Cup .

The 22-year-old signed for the Liverpool academy from Valencia in 2013, and made his debut under Brendan Rodgers in a 1-1 Europa League draw with Bordeaux in 2015.

Wednesday’s appearance from the bench against MK Dons was his first outing for Liverpool’s first-team since a 3-1 defeat at Swansea in May 2016.

The Athletic’s James Pearce said on Saturday that Liverpool’s ‘continued involvement in this season’s Carabao Cup is now in doubt’ if they are found guilty.

A club spokesperson said: “The club are aware of a potential administrative issue pertaining to one of our players.

“We are working with the relevant authorities in order to establish the facts of the matter and will be making no further comment until this process is complete.”

The EFL, whose options are to expel Liverpool, fine them or order a replay. added that: “We are currently considering the matter”.

And a source close to Klopp has told The Times that the Liverpool boss would be ‘devastated’ if they were expelled while a replay would go down ‘like a bag of cold sick’.

The source added: ‘He is already concerned about the number of games and has been a big supporter of ending replays in the FA Cup and going straight to penalties, so he would see it as a massive blow if a replay was ordered in this season especially.’