KENNY DALGLISH has warned Liverpool fans he may field a reserve side in the Carling Cup quarter-final at Chelsea later this month after lambasting the “disgraceful” fixture scheduling that sees his team play two crucial games barely 48 hours apart.

Dalglish’s side must play the glamour tie at Stamford Bridge on the evening of Tuesday, November 29, just two days after entertaining Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, November 27 at 4pm.

Despite attempts to have one of the matches rescheduled, efforts by the Anfield outfit have fallen on deaf ears.

And a fuming Dalglish has warned the integrity of the competition could be compromised by admitting seven-time winners Liverpool may turn to their youngsters for the encounter with Chelsea.

“It is disgraceful in this day and age that players are being asked to play a key Premier League game and then a League Cup quarter-final in London just 48 hours later,” he said.

“If the Football League want to devalue their own competition, that’s up to them, but they shouldn’t then be upset if people use these games to help in the development of young players.

“The one thing I will say to our fans is to think carefully before buying tickets for the League Cup game.

“We do not want them spending their money and then we decide there is no other option but to use only young players in the tie.”

The game cannot be held on the Wednesday because the Metropolitan Police are manning the TUC rally in central London earlier that day as well as the Europa League clash between Tottenham and PAOK Salonika.

But Dalglish is unhappy the Football League refused to entertain any other sensible date – it is believed the only other free date was December 28, right in the middle of the hectic festive schedule – and that the Premier League would not bring forward the City clash.

“It’s surely the duty of the football authorities to think of other solutions which consider the welfare of the players and this clearly hasn’t happened,” he added.

“When we ask the Football League to move our game to a later date, we’re told it’s impossible. Where’s the logic in that? Manchester City are in a similar position to us with their game at Arsenal (on the same night) and it’s for them to argue their case but it is my job to stand up for the interests of Liverpool Football Club.