The Football League are investigating whether Liverpool fielded an ineligible player in the League Cup third-round tie vs. MK Dons – and could even be kicked out of the competition.
Liverpool won the match 2-0, but the question of eligibility is about substitute Pedro Chirivella – who replaced Naby Keita in the second half.
Chirivella had joined Spanish side Extremadura on loan in January, but an administrative error in processing his switch from Liverpool forced him out of action for the remainder of the campaign.
The 22-year-old was expected to leave Liverpool in the summer, but remained at the club and thus made his first appearance for the first-team since May 2016 in Milton Keynes.
A Liverpool spokesman told The Athletic‘s James Pearce: “The club are aware of a potential administrative issue pertaining to one of our players.
“We are working with the relevant authorities in order to establish the facts of the matter and will be making no further comment until this process is complete.”
The question is over international clearance for the player, and Liverpool are facing a fine but expulsion from the competition is also an option.
However, expulsion seems unlikely, with a recent case involving Sunderland resulting in a fine for the club.
Whether the Reds face more than a fine will depend on whether The Football League determine the error was Liverpool’s or an administrative error elsewhere.
Liverpool were drawn to play Arsenal at home in the fourth round of the League Cup, tie due to take place on October 30.
