Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has slammed the Football League for rearranging his sides upcoming Carling Cup quarter final fixture meaning they will have to play two games in 48 hours.
The Reds take on Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday 27th November before travelling to London for their tie against Chelsea on the Tuesday.
Dalglish believes the Football League should have looked at other alternatives after they decided against moving the quarter final clash to Wednesday due to it causing problems with the police in London as Tottenham are in Europa League action that night.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: “It is disgraceful in this day and age that players are being asked to play a league game and then a quarter-final just 48 hours later,” he said.
“If the Football League want to devalue their own competition it’s up to them.”
“It’s understandable with the Spurs v PAOK Salonika match and the TUC rally that the Met Police have said that our game cannot be played on the Wednesday.” He added
“But it’s surely the duty of the football authorities to think of other solutions which consider the welfare of the players? This clearly hasn’t happened.”
Appeals against the decision were swiftly dismissed and Dalglish has sensationally warned fans planning on making the trip to Stamford Bridge that they will be faced with a team full of youngsters.
“When we ask the Football League to move our game to a later date, we’re told it’s impossible. Where’s the logic in that?” the 60-year-old said?
“The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game.
He added” “We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie.
“They [the Football League] shouldn’t then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players.”