A quirk of the fixture list means Liverpool youngsters could be denied the chance to play for the first team in their Carabao Cup third round tie against MK Dons.
When the Reds were drawn out of the hat against the League One side - the first ever meeting between the two clubs - the likes of summer signings Harvey Elliott and Sepp van den Berg would have been hoping to be involved.
Jurgen Klopp will almost certainly rotate his side for the fixture at Stadium MK on September 25 - but he has another match to throw into the equation.
The Reds Under-21s will take on Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy on the same night - a competition they are serious about after entering it for the first time this season.
They made their bow in the tournament in a 3-2 defeat to Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park last month and will continue their campaign against Fleetwood.
Both Elliott and Van den Berg, who are yet to feature for Liverpool in senior football, started the Oldham defeat and the club see the competition as an ideal chance for young players to test themselves against senior pros.
The duo were the only outfield incomings at Anfield over the course of the summer, with Liverpool also recruiting veteran goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and former West Ham shot-stopper Adrian.
Other youngsters who may have had designs on showcasing their talent against MK Dons include Ki-Jana Hoever and Rhian Brewster, with the latter still waiting on a first-team bow.
