Liverpool risk being removed from the Carabao Cup this season despite beating MK Dons on Wednesday night, after potentially fielding an ineligible player.
That player is Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella who came on for Naby Keita during the second half.
EFL investigation into ineligible Liverpool player in Carabao Cup relates to Pedro Chirivella. He joined Extremadura on loan in January and case is over international clearance. Chirivella replaced Naby Keita after 63 minutes. Liverpool facing fine, but expulsion also an option.
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) September 28, 2019
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The likely outcome of the situation, which the Reds did not see coming, is a fine, rather than expulsion, with Sunderland recieving the same treatment in a similar case back in 2014.
EFL say they will not speculate on possible sanctions. Disqualification is most extreme.
EFL spokesman said: "We are currently considering the matter."
Previous precedent – Sunderland in 2014 – resulted in fine when administration errors elsewhere were responsible.— Chris Bascombe (@_ChrisBascombe) September 28, 2019
The club, it seems, thought everything was in place for Chirivella to enter the field of play. If the management team have made an error, then whatever the punishment is will just have to be accepted, though it does seem like administrative errors elsewhere could be the concern.
The Reds drew Arsenal in the next round of the tournament with that game pencilled in for Wednesday, October 30. It will be another chance for youngsters like Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones to feature, as long as disqualification is avoided.