Glen Johnson says he expects Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to name a stronger side for their upcoming FA Cup tie against Chelsea.
The Reds have fielded young sides in their Carabao Cup and FA Cup ties this season, with Klopp allowing Under-23 boss Neil Critchley to take charge of the team on several occasions.
Liverpool rested their entire first team for the fourth round replay against Shrewsbury, with the Reds' young side earning a 1-0 win to book their place against Chelsea in the fifth round.
The decision sparked controversy, with some labelling Klopp's decision as disrespectful to the competition and Shrewsbury.
But the Reds boss has maintained his stance and insisted his decision made sense with the authorities to blame for not giving players more of a break.
"What difference would it make? Why should I be there?" he said before Liverpool's win over West Ham last month.
"On the football side it is clear and the other thing is we have to make a stand.
"I really don't understand that I should be in the directors box just because people pay money to watch the game. If we react how we always react and find a way to do it, then nothing will change.
"I decided three weeks ago we would have a mid-season break based on a letter we got [from the FA] in April 2019. Although it was not in the beginning, it is now a principle thing."
The success of Liverpool's youngsters has prompted suggestions that Klopp could once again field a youthful side against Chelsea.
But former Chelsea and Liverpool right-back Johnson says he cannot see Klopp fielding an entire team of teenagers at Stamford Bridge.
"Although Jurgen Klopp’s decision to play the kids against Shrewsbury paid off, I really doubt he’ll do that against Chelsea and I’d expect to see a much stronger side," he told BETDAQ.
"The fact they are so far ahead in the Premier League as well the fact they are not far off another piece of silverware surely means he’ll want to give himself the best chance of getting through to the next round.
"If he plays a young side against Chelsea it will be a massive struggle for them to get through and with all the momentum they’ve generated, there doesn’t seem much point in affecting that by playing a weaker team.
"You can get away with it against the weaker sides, but against the likes of Chelsea you can’t. Klopp will know that and I’m sure he’ll pick his 11 with that in mind.
"Playing the kids would show Liverpool have no desire whatsoever to win the FA Cup. That seems pretty crazy considering they are in the fifth round and are virtually champions in the league.
"To be honest, they could do it in reverse - play a more youthful side in the Premier League and pick the big guns in the cup! They’ve been so good this season that they’ve given themselves the luxury of being able to do that."
