'We want to make the first team proud against Villa'
As several of Liverpool's youngsters prepare to step out on the biggest stage of their careers so far, one of the more experienced members of the side insists it represents a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their ability.
At the age of 22 and having made seven senior appearances for the club to date, Pedro Chirivella is set to be a key figure for a Reds team led by U23s boss Neil Critchley in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Aston Villa.
Chirivella made substitute appearances as Liverpool beat MK Dons and Arsenal earlier in the competition, and is set for a starting berth in the quarter-final at Villa Park with Jürgen Klopp and his first-team squad on FIFA Club World Cup duty in Qatar.
Ahead of the game, Liverpoolfc.com caught up with the midfielder at Melwood...
On how much he and the squad are looking forward to the occasion...
Well, it’s a big night for everyone. I’m very excited to be part of it and hopefully we can make Liverpool proud and the fans proud. We want to make the first team proud and we want to be in the next round and that is what we will try to do.
On the challenge facing the young players…
We are playing against a Premier League team and that’s the level everyone should get to and wants to get to so it’s a big night, especially for the younger lads. It will be a very proud moment for them and we are looking forward to it. I’m just very excited. It has been a long time since I have had a spell playing for the first team and hopefully I can show what I can do. Tuesday is a big opportunity for everyone, I think we are ready for it and want to show what we can do.
On the excitement leading up to the game…
We’ve been talking about it for a long time. We have a chance of playing and everyone is very excited - you can see that around training and around games. Finally the day has come and we are looking forward to it. Football is football and if we are playing for Liverpool it is because we are capable of playing football so it should be a great night for everyone.
On the quality of Villa…
I think they will pick their first XI, it’s the quarter-finals of a cup so whoever wins gets to the semi-final. I think they will go for it. We have nothing to lose. We should enjoy being in a moment like that.
On who he thinks Liverpool’s key players on the night could be…
It has to be everyone, to be honest. If one player doesn’t play at his best then we have no chance, but I think from the staff to the players to everyone involved and the fans, everyone should be 100 per cent for us to have a chance of getting through to the next round.