Liverpool could be thrown out of the Carabao Cup if they are found to have fielded an ineligible player in their third-round victory over MK Dons.



The Athletic can exclusively reveal the EFL have launched an investigation after it emerged Pedro Chirivella — who came off the bench in Wednesday’s 2-0 win, having not featured in the first team for three years — may not have satisfied the registration criteria to feature in the competition.



It is understood the administrative issue is with the FA concerning the Spaniard’s international transfer certificate (ITC). Liverpool could not receive it without the FA’s intervention which was requested back in July.



An ITC is provided from one national association to another to facilitate the transfer of a player between countries and Chirivella returned to Merseyside this summer after going on loan to Spanish second division side Extremadura in the second half of last...