Premier League side Liverpool has avoided being ejected from the EFL Cup for fielding an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over League One side Mk Dons.

James Milner and Ki-Jana Hoover scored the goals in each half as Liverpool knocked out Dons. However, Pedro Chirivella was brought in as a substitute but didn’t have international clearance following the expiry of his loan with the Spanish side Extremadura last season.

Fine

The Reds have instead been fined £200,000 – with £100,000 suspended until the end of the 2020/21 season – which means they are free to face Arsenal in the fourth round on October 29.

EFL statement

“Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence, the Board determined that it wasn’t appropriate to expel the club from the competition because of a number of mitigating factors.”

“In particular, the board noted that the club had sought the assistance of the Football Association in securing the return of the International Clearance prior to the start of this season, and the club had been able to include the player on team sheets for Premier League Two matches (under Premier League Rules) and one Leasing.com Trophy match, which resulted in the breach not being identified until the club reported the issue to the EFL and Premier League following the MK Dons match.

“As a result, the club has also been found guilty of misconduct in relation to the same breach for having fielded the player in the defeat against Oldham Athletic in the Leasing.com Trophy on 7 August, with the sanction incorporated into the financial penalty.

“The club will be liable for the suspended sum of £100,000, plus an additional sanction if they were to again field an ineligible player in the Carabao Cup between now and the end of next season.”