AcademyGuide to the Premier League International Cup

Format

Twenty-four teams are participating in 2022-23, with half from Premier League 2 and half from development squads across Europe.

They are split into three groups of eight for the opening stage and each match will pair a PL2 side against a European opponent.

The top two finishers in each section will progress to the knockout phase, joined by the two best third-placed teams.

The quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will be single-leg contests consisting of 90 minutes, with extra-time and a penalty shootout used as needed.

Opponents

The Reds will meet SC Braga, Dinamo Zagreb, Hertha BSC and Paris Saint-Germain in their four group-stage matches. All will be played at the Kirkby Academy.

They are in Group C, which also includes Crystal Palace, Everton and Stoke City.

Fixtures

Wednesday November 9 – v Dinamo Zagreb

Wednesday January 11 – v Paris Saint-Germain

Wednesday January 18 – v SC Braga

Wednesday February 1 – v Hertha BSC

All four ties kick off at 7pm GMT.

Who can play?

The tournament is for the U16 to U21 age groups, but clubs are able to call on over-age players – up to five outfield and one goalkeeper.

Other groups

Group A: Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Leicester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Celtic, Porto, Valencia, Wolfsburg.

Group B: Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Manchester United, West Ham United, Feyenoord, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Sparta Prague.

As it stands

Everton and Palace are the early pace-setters in the section having each won both of their opening two matches, while Braga sit third after a victory and a defeat.