Rick Parry, the new English Football League chairman, has expressed concern for the future of the Carabao Cup amid the threat that it could lose direct qualification into the Europa League.

The English Football League Cup is worth millions in support payments across four tiers but Parry says its diminishing profile is a concern, especially as other European leagues abandon the concept of three domestic trophies.

Parry, who formerly served as Liverpool's chief executive, also defended the club being given permission to field an under strength side so they could compete in the Club World Cup in the same week.

The EFL Cup, first held in 1960, will resist pressure to abandon its current two-legged semi-final, but Parry recognised the tournament was facing unprecedented pressure after the likes of Jurgen Klopp complained of fixture pile-ups.

Uefa is also launching its third tier Europa Conference League from 2021, and the number of Europa League qualification spots will reduce.