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After all this time?

According to Paul Joyce, Liverpool will compete for the EFL Trophy (also knows as the Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons) for the first time in 2019/20.

The club had decided against entering a team in previous seasons because it is played during international breaks, when academy players are often given the opportunity to train at Melwood to make up the numbers.

The tournament is contested between senior League One and League Two sides as well as a number of U23 teams from Category One Academies. It is played out in a group stage of 16 regionalised groups followed by a five-round knock-out stage.

While the tournament offers academy players the valuable opportunity to test themselves against senior sides, the involvement of U23 teams in the competition is controversial as some fans view it as a “trial” for the introduction of B-teams in England.

Fearless young Reds excited for European adventure (lfc.com)

Liverpool UYL squad (uefa.com)