Jurgen Klopp has confessed that Liverpool may pull out of the Carabao Cup despite reaching the quarter-finals.
After beating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties to cap a thrilling 5-5 draw, the Reds are due to play on the week commencing December 16.
However they also have Club World Cup commitments – as well as the Premier League and Champions League – to think about.
Liverpool are due to play their CWC semi-final in Qatar on December 18 with a final or third-place play-off three days later.
Klopp told reporters on Wednesday night: “If they can’t find the proper date for us and I don’t mean Christmas Day 3am… then we can’t play the game. Our opponents will progress.
“We will not be the victims of this problem.
“Hopefully it starts now that they think about the fixtures.
“I think a lot of people from the Premier League were watching on TV hoping Arsenal do it. Sorry!”
The tournament, a reward for winning the Champions League, has already postponed the Prem trip to West Ham.
And they are due back in England for the Boxing Day game with high-flying Leicester.
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup takes place at 8.45 am on Thursday.
It appears Klopp will be happy to walk away from a potential major trophy if he feels too much is demanded of his squad.
