This archive report was first published on 1 November 2019.
On Wednesday, Liverpool made it through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup by beating Arsenal on penalties after a thrilling 5-5 draw.
However, their participation in the Club World Cup in Qatar has created a chaotic fixture schedule, with the possibility of playing two games on the same day.
The Reds have been drawn to face Aston Villa away in the quarter-finals, scheduled for December 17 and 18. But with their semi-final in the Club World Cup also taking place on December 18 in Doha, the team is facing a difficult decision.
According to sources, the most likely solution is to move the quarter-final trip to Villa Park to January 8, the week that the first leg of the semi-finals are scheduled.
Providing the winner isn't involved in an FA Cup third round replay, the calendar could then open up for them to fit in both legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final prior to the Wembley final on March 1.
However, during discussions, the possibility of the quarter-final tie sticking to its original date has been mooted. This could raise the historic possibility of two Reds teams playing senior competitive matches on the same day.
Liverpool will have to name a 23-man squad for the Club World Cup, which includes three goalkeepers. They could opt to leave members of that group behind for the Aston Villa tie and play their semi-final with a reduced squad.
Such a scenario would also require the team to split their coaching staff, with one or both of Jurgen Klopp's assistants staying with the Carabao Cup side.
