Due to UEFA’s stringent requirements, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp must cut a senior player from his Europa League team.
The Reds, who have reached three of the previous six Champions League finals, are the favorites to win the Europa League this season. In Group E, Klopp’s team will meet Austrian side LASK, Belgian prospects Union Saint-Gilloise, and French outfit Toulouse.
Although Liverpool is expected to perform well in Europe, Klopp will not have access to all of his senior players. This is due to the fact that he is only permitted to name 17 foreign players in his Europa League squad, one fewer than in the Premier League.
List A and List B players compete in European competitions. List A players can number up to 25, but eight of them must be homegrown. If an overseas talent is signed by a club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21, they are considered homegrown.
A player must be born on or after January 1, 2002 to be eligible for List B. They must also have been eligible to play for the club for two years in a row – or three years if they have completed a loan term.
For example, Marcelo Pitaluga, a 20-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper for Liverpool, would be classified as a List A player because he spent last season on loan at Macclesfield and will join in October 2020. In addition, UEFA requires clubs to name at least two List A goalkeepers.
Klopp might rest one of Alisson, Adrian, or Caoimhin Kelleher for the Europa League, since the German coach is unlikely to need all three goalkeepers. He might also sever a damaged star. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago Alcantara, and Ibrahima Konate all have injuries.
If Liverpool advances to the Europa League knockout stages, Klopp will be able to make changes to his squad. All Europa League teams had until 11 p.m. on Monday to identify their squads for the group stage, with Klopp still to do so publicly.
The Reds manager has stated that he is “excited” about his team’s Europa League campaign. Liverpool’s inability to finish in the top four of the Premier League last season was a major disappointment, but Klopp understands that his players must move on.
When questioned about the draw, Klopp told Liverpool’s website, “Top.” “(I’ve) never played against one of the teams, which I adore and am ecstatic about.”
“(I) can’t wait to get started, and I’m glad we don’t have to fly too far, because it’s a bit of a concern when you play on Thursday and then come back from wherever in Europe, and there are some distances, I think, especially in the Europa League, that are really tricky.” It could have been quite difficult, but we were fortunate.
“However, with the teams, we obviously have to learn now.” When I saw it, I went straight to the squads and attempted to figure out who I know and what I already know, but that’s obviously not enough at the time.
“But what do we have?” What, three weeks? We shall be ready. When we know (who will play first), we will prepare that team first, followed by the others.”