Liverpool U23 boss Neil Critchley is set to take charge of their Carabao Cup quarterfinal tie against Aston Villa next month.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has not completely made his mind up to miss the last-eight tie at Villa Park, which in an unprecedented move will take place 24 hours before Liverpool's Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar, but the logistical difficulties of attending both matches make it likely that he will already be in Doha when the Carabao Cup match is taking place.
The Daily Mail says the German's assistant, Pep Lijnders, is another possibility to take the Carabao Cup team at Villa Park but Klopp is likely to want him at his side as Liverpool prepare for a prestigious tournament they will be aiming to win for the first time after losing to Brazilian club Sao Paulo in the final in 2005.
As U23 coach Critchley is the next in line and has Klopp's complete confidence, not least as many of his players are likely to be in the side that face Villa.
