Leeds United U21s to take on Liverpool U21s at Harrogate Town's CNG Stadium

Harrogate Town will play host to Leeds United U21s' Premier League Cup tie against Liverpool U21s next week.
Leeds United U21s in action against Sheffield WednesdayLeeds United U21s in action against Sheffield Wednesday
Leeds United U21s in action against Sheffield Wednesday

The two footballing giants will battle it out for a place in the quarter finals of the competition at the CNG Stadium on Monday.

The match will kick-off at 7pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for concession and are to be bought at the gate.

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The United youngsters reached this stage of the competition after seeing off Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in November thanks to a goal from Eoghan Stokes.

Category One Academy side Liverpool beat Sunderland 4-3 after extra time.

The original last 16 fixture was scheduled for January 4 but Leeds had to wait for Premier League approval over the facilities at the CNG Stadium.

Town managing director Garry Plant revealed Leeds approached the Wetherby Road club in December over the possibility of using the stadium for U21 cup matches.

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He said: "They get a decent crowd of 5/600 people and to have the fixture at the CNG Stadium, it will create an atmosphere, whilst having it at Elland Road would a bit like a needle in a haystack.

"It's good from our perspective to build the profile of the club and it gets interest around Harrogate Town.

"Hopefully it will get a lot of Leeds United supporters to come along and see what it's like at the CNG. It's not a ragamuffin stadium any more.

"You never know, it might just bring a few more Harrogate people to come and see us on a Saturday."

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Both teams will be permitted to field three players over the age of 21.

Liverpool are expected to field many of the youngsters who were given their opportunity in the first team by Jurgen Kiopp in the FA Cup against Exeter City on Friday. The game ended 2-2 with Brad Smith and Jerome Sinclair on target for the Reds.

On the prospect of Liverpool manager Klopp possibly visiting the CNG Stadium next week, Plant added: "That would be fascinating."