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Liverpool U23s are set to be depleted for tonight's (Mon) Premier League 2 clash at Derby County – but coach Michael Beale couldn't be happier.

A number of the Academy's talented youngsters will be left out because Jurgen Klopp is considering them for selection for Tuesday night's EFL Cup quarter-final with Leeds United at Anfield.

Ovie Ejaria, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Woodburn, Kevin Stewart and Pedro Chirivella could be rested with one eye on the senior fixture.

“It will be a really good test for us at Derby,” Beale told the ECHO.

“I imagine they will drop a few first-teamers into it but I don't expect us to have that with the Leeds game being on Tuesday night.

“Hopefully one or two of our young lads will be involved in that. That's what we want.”

Captain Harry Wilson is available after missing last week's 4-0 win over Burnley in the Lancashire Senior Cup due to illness.

That contest saw Joe Gomez make his return to competitive football – 13 months after he tore his cruciate ligament.

The 19-year-old defender got 90 minutes under his belt and Beale was delighted to have him on board.

“Joe isn't a boy I know too well but we both had our youth careers down at Charlton,” Beale said.

“It was a fantastic move for him to Liverpool. His start was beyond his wildest dreams but with the injury he's had a terrible year.

“It's tough for a young boy to go through that. He's a lovely kid.

“He trained with us for a couple of days last week. Throughout the Burnley game we were monitoring how long he was going to play for.

“We checked on him a couple of times in the second half but he was fine so we kept him out there.

“Joe trains with the first team at Melwood. That's where he's based. As and when he comes to the Academy.

“It's about ensuring the boys get the best of both worlds. It's a fine balance between having them around the first-team squad and making sure they get a game so a lot of planning goes into it.”

The need to accommodate centre-backs Gomez, Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori led to Beale playing three at the back against Burnley.

“If we have all three, it doesn't make sense to leave one out. They are so strong you need to find a way to play them,” he said.

Competition is such that fellow centre-back Tom Brewitt spent last week training with Port Vale and played for their reserves.

“Tom is a lovely lad. 100% committed,” Beale said.

“I feel guilty that I can't offer him more playing time. With Mamadou, Tiago and Joe coming back, it's not easy.

“The opportunity came up for him to go there and play. We have a fantastic relationship with the Port Vale staff. Sam Hart is there on loan.

“Tom spent the week there and it's something we will look to do with other lads if we don't use the loan system.”

Beale will be hoping for more of the same following his side's dominant display against Burnley. Matty Virtue was the pick of the bunch with a classy hat-trick.

“I was really pleased for Matty. He's the unsung hero of the under-23s,” he added.

“He works his socks off and has stepped into Kev Stewart's old role as our Mr Dependable. Who knows how far it will take him?

“He's not one who gets the limelight but hopefully this will be the start of him scoring more regularly.”

Full coverage of tonight's Liverpool game on our match blog at http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-news-transfer-rumours-live-12237873