Report names 11 Liverpool starlets who could make their debuts against Aston Villa

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There could be as many as 11 debutants for Liverpool against Aston Villa tonight, according to The Mirror.

Liverpool face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup but they are forced to play a weakened side. With the first-team at the Club World Cup, Liverpool need to use their youngsters.

Even players like Curtis Jones and Neco Williams are in the senior side. Harvey Elliott, Herbie Kane, Ki-Jana Hoever, Sepp van den Berg and Caoimhin Kelleher should start tonight. But here are the other 11 potential players, who would be making their first senior appearances.

Full-backs

Hoever is likely to start at right-back but the left-back problem is unresolved. Adam Lewis is injured so Yasser Larouci could be in the frame for his first start. The Algerian-born Frenchman has been converted from a winger into a left-back.

But Larouci is also an injury doubt. This could hand a rare chance to Tony Gallacher – a young Scottish full-back who has played 26 senior games for Falkirk.

Centre-backs

There are three players competing to partner van den Berg at centre-half. This report believes Morgan Boyes is in the frame for his Liverpool debut. The 18-year-old plays for Wales at youth level and he has been a regular for the U23s.

Alternatively, Billy Koumetio could start. The 17-year-old Frenchman is a towering defender who was on the bench in the last round of the EFL Cup. Tom Clayton is also pushing for a start but he is less likely to play.

Midfielders

With Jones away, Kane will probably start as one of the midfield three. But this leaves two more spots for Liverpool debuts. Elijah Dixon-Bonner, 18, looks nailed on to make his Reds bow after recently signing a new contract extension.

Leighton Clarkson – who is a more defensive option than Dixon-Bonner – might also get a game. The 18-year-old has been on the bench twice in the EFL Cup this season. Jake Cain has stepped up from the U18s this season and he could be making his senior debut.

Forwards

Rhian Brewster is an injury doubt so Liverpool could be relying on a debutant up top. Isaac Christie-Davies is a candidate to play there even though he is predominantly a midfielder. Formerly of Chelsea, the 22-year-old has waited a long time for his debut.

Layton Stewart is another potential centre-forward. The 17-year-old has been in good goalscoring form for the U18s this season and made the step up to the U23 team.

Elliott will almost certainly start on one of the flanks. Luis Longstaff is being tipped to start on the other side. The 18-year-old, who joined from Newcastle, has been scoring goals for fun this season.