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Rick Parry warns that Champions League changes could threaten EFL Cup

Rick Parry warns that Champions League changes could threaten EFL Cup
© Reuters
A more congested Champions League schedule could marginalise the League Cup.

New EFL chairman Rick Parry is "watching intently" to see whether proposals to overhaul European club competition would threaten the League Cup.

The format of continental football could be set for major changes from 2024, with reports surfacing on Friday that the European Club Association had devised a new 32-team division for the Champions League.

It was reported that each club would play 10 matches against 10 different opponents with the top-eight sides qualifying for the round of 16.

The Champions League could have a different look from 2024
The Champions League could have a different look from 2024 (John Walton/PA)

A more congested fixture list would obviously place even greater pressure on the scheduling of the League Cup, with the quarter-finals of this season's competition being played this week.

Parry admits it is something his organisation is monitoring closely.

"It clearly is a concern and is something that we are mindful of," he said.

"I think we are unique in having a League Cup now, the French have done away with theirs, and obviously now with UEFA's third-tier competition and the potential (Champions League) changes on the horizon – who knows what they will be – we are obviously watching intently and with great care to see what they may be and what impact they might have."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp described the proposed Champions League revamp as "absolute b*******", citing the difficulties the Reds were having to fulfil fixtures even with the current schedule.

He has travelled with the senior squad to Qatar for the Club World Cup while a youth side will take on Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

Former Liverpool chief executive Parry felt the "sensible" decision had been taken.

"I think we have actually come up with a very pragmatic solution that first and foremost worked for Liverpool, it was sensible to say 'you have a major problem here, what's going to be the right solution for you?' rather than a bureaucratic 'this is the rule'," he said.

"The one thing I learned from being at Liverpool is you play your fixtures as soon as possible, you never push them back.

"Having been at Anfield to watch the game against Arsenal with the Liverpool kids which was one of the greatest nights of football entertainment I have had for many years then I don't think they are weakening the integrity of the competition unduly, I think it was a sensible solution and making the best of bad circumstances."

Parry poured cold water on the idea of taking Carabao Cup games overseas in the future.

"It's not something we have discussed, personally it's something I'm dead against," he said.

"I was always never in favour of the 39th Premier League game, I just didn't get it, it's an English competition to be played in England in my opinion."

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29271166214582
2Manchester CityMan City28183768313757
3Leicester CityLeicester29165858283053
4Chelsea29146951391248
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd29129844301445
6Wolverhampton WanderersWolves29101364134743
7Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd28111073025543
8Tottenham HotspurSpurs29118104740741
9Arsenal2891364036440
10Burnley29116123440-639
11Crystal Palace29109102632-639
12Everton29107123746-937
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2998122541-1635
14Southampton29104153552-1734
15Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton29611123240-829
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2976163550-1527
17Watford2969142744-1727
18Bournemouth2976162947-1827
19Aston Villa2874173456-2225
20Norwich CityNorwich2956182552-2721

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