Four Liverpool youngsters included in Klopp’s Club World Cup squad

Four Liverpool youth included in Club World Cup squad

Liverpool have flown out youngsters Caoimhin Kelleher, Ki-Jana Hoever and Sepp van den Berg to Qatar to join up with the squad competing in the Club World Cup (h/t NBC).

Kelleher and Van den Berg played the full 90 minutes of the Carabao Cup loss Quarterfinal loss to Aston Villa whereas Hoever had to come off in the second half due to cramps.

Part of the youngest Liverpool side in history, the youngsters gave their best but fell short to a much more experienced and clinical Villa side.

They now have a chance to make up for the disappointment at Villa Park by being part of the first Reds side to be crowned the best team in the world.

Elliott passes late fitness test

Harvey Elliott, 16, who was the standout Liverpool player at Villa Park, had initially looked set to miss the trip to Qatar due to injury. He has now passed a late fitness test and will join up with the rest of the squad (h/t Liverpool Echo).

Crisis in defence

Liverpool are facing a crisis in defence, with Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren injured and Virgil van Dijk ill. Joe Gomez is the only fit senior centre-back in the squad.

Captain Jordan Henderson filled in alongside Gomez in the nervy semi-final win against Monterrey on Wednesday. With Monterrey causing Henderson plenty of problems, Klopp would be better off not playing Henderson out of position against a more dangerous Flamengo side.

If Van Dijk is deemed unfit for the final, Van den Berg or Hoever could partner Gomez.

Kelleher is unlikely to feature with all three senior keepers ahead of him while Harvey Elliott could come on as a substitute if needed.

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The experience, however, would be invaluable to the players as they seek to grow in the Liverpool hierarchy.