Jurgen Klopp has threatened to withdraw his Liverpool team from the Carabao Cup if the quarter final fixture cannot be appropriately scheduled.
The Reds progressed after beating Arsenal in an enthralling game at Anfield, setting up a clash with Aston Villa in the last eight.
The next round is due to take place on the week commencing December 18, however this could cause a huge problem for Liverpool.
Klopp's side are due to play in the Club World Cup in Qatar with the semi-final of the competition being scheduled for December 18.
That means that Liverpool face the prospect of a particularly saturated fixture list going into the Christmas period.
Speaking after the victory over Arsenal, Klopp said that he won't put his side at risk by playing in the match unless it can be scheduled appropriately.
He said: “If they don't find an appropriate place for us, not 3am on Christmas Day, then we don't play it," declared the Liverpool boss.
“They have to make that decision. You have to think about these things.
“If you have a fixture list where one team cannot be part of all the games, then you have to think about the fixture list.
“Hopefully it starts now. I really think that's fair, and this problem is obvious now. We will not be the victim of this problem.
“We play tonight, we wanted to win it, we did that, and if they don't find a proper date for us, then we cannot play the next round and whoever is our opponent will go through.
“Or Arsenal play them.”
Arsenal fans hoping that could give them a route back into the competition could be left disappointed with a bye expected to be given to the team that draws Liverpool.
