Aston Villa score five against the youngest team in Liverpool's history - reaction

Harvey Elliott, aisle or window?

Liverpool manager Neil Critchley says some of tonight's team will be flying to Qatar to join up with Jurgen Klopp's squad tomorrow.

"One or two will be sneaking on a plane but it is still to be decided who."

Critchley said Klopp was in touch at half-time and was impressed with what he had seen.

Former Liverpool defender Rob Jones giving a tip of that hat to Dean Smith and John Terry's full-time chat with Red's youngsters.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith on Sky Sports: "We just told the Liverpool players, 'well done' and keep working at what they are doing. I love watching kids, I came through coaching those sorts of age groups.

"It was great to see them on that stage tonight, we had to be very professional.

"It was a bit of a weird game, probably the weirdest one I've been involved in for a quarter-final of a major competition. They had technically gifted players, were tactically switched on and they made it very difficult for us at times."

It's a great achievement for Aston Villa. Ultimately you're challenging for a cup at the end of the day, it's brilliant.

It's not one for AT but you can watch Liverpool's semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with the programme starting at 17.15 GMT on Wednesday.

I agree that the Club World Cup doesn't come round that often, but I just don't think it holds that much stock.

I just don't think it registers long in the memory. I don't see it as a true reflection of being a world champion, I just don't.

I get that Liverpool will continue to talk about the importance of the Club World Cup, but it's not something I get much pleasure out of watching personally.

Liverpool CEO Peter Moore is the first one out of the blocks with a Twitter message from Qatar...

Coach Johnny D: Why is the FA incapable of working out simple solutions? Why not play the first round of the League Cup on the Saturday before the regular Football League season starts, shifting every round forward, getting 3 rounds done by the end of August!

Steven Richards: LFC’s attitude to the League Cup is mixed. In the 60s we refused to play in it. The 70’s we called it the Mickey Mouse Cup. The 80’s we won it 4 times on the trot. The 90s it was a limit of our ambition. We are record holders still but there are bigger fish now

Liverpool stand-in manager Neil Critchley talking to Sky Sports:

"I thought we were magnificent. We were fantastic from the start, we had a couple of chances from the first whistle. We were really unfortunate to concede and find ourselves 2-0 down. It was an incredible night and no one wanted it to end. The support we had was unbelievable.

"The conduct of the Villa players was first class. For Dean Smith and John Terry to come in to our dressing room after the game and say the things they said. They said 'keep going, good luck' and wished us the best. The moment I will remember and the players will remember for the rest of their lives.

"Some of them showed the potential to one day play for us, or in the Premier League. They will know it was just part of their journey. My overwhelming feeling was one of immense pride."

Kakashi: Although the Liverpool youngsters lost, I'm really impressed with their performance and composure on the ball. They played well tonight.

Indy Kler: In hindsight it was not the right decision by LFC. It was lambs to the slaughter & I feel for the youngsters and their confidence. I fully expect Liverpool to win the Champions League again this season, can't wait to see if they use an alternative solution next year!

Jamie Redknapp is doing all he can on TV not to compare Harvey Elliott to Lionel Messi here. Just about manages it.

Dean Smith and John Terry went straight into the Liverpool dressing room after the game to address the young players.

A 'classy touch.'

If I'm Neil Critchley on the way back up north tonight I'd be thinking, "you know what, they gave a real good account of themselves tonight".

Aston Villa's Conor Hourihane, speaking to Sky Sports: "We weathered the storm at the start but quality came through in the end.

"It was lose-lose but we did a professional job and we are delighted to get over the line. Nice to get through to the semi-finals. That is what we had to do tonight."

You can watch Liverpool's semi-final against Mexican side Monterrey on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with the programme starting at 17.15 GMT on Wednesday.

Liverpool have put all their eggs in one basket. It's time for the main team to push on and come back with the Club World Cup now. They've got to go out there and win it.

I really like Harvey Elliott. You know he's going to drift inside on that left foot, but you can't stop it.