Liverpool and Everton to have say as drastic changes to FA Cup and League Cup considered

Major changes could be made to domestic cup competitions as the Premier League considers proposals as part of the 'new deal for football', according to a report.

The Times claims shareholders of the Premier league are set to meet on Wednesday and changes to the FA Cup and League Cup will be high on the agenda.

The report states the plan includes scrapping FA Cup third and fourth-round replays from the 2024/25 season onwards, subject to the FA's agreement. It has been suggested EFL clubs would also be happy with this change as penalty shoot-outs would offer them a greater chance of beating higher-league opposition.

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With regards to the League Cup, there is an acceptance changes to the calendar need to be made as clubs in European competition will face greater fixture congestion when the number of Champions League games increases in 2024. The report from The Times states the suggestion is clubs in European competitions will either not compete in the League Cup or field under-21 sides throughout.

Liverpool were forced into a similar scenario in 2019 when their first team was competing in the FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar. The fixtures clashed with their quarter-final tie against Aston Villa in the League Cup. It meant the Reds had to field a youth side managed by Neil Critchley at Villa Park.

The article goes on to say it is 'unlikely' any decisions on these issues, including providing hundreds of millions of pounds to the lower leagues, will be made in the meeting on Wednesday. It has been claimed clubs will 'wait and see' whether the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, pushes for the same reform in football and offering more financial resources to clubs lower down the pyramid.

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